WORK on a collapsed wall at the entrance to a family’s housing estate in Selkirk could begin later this year.

Frustrated neighbours of the cordoned-off footpath have tried in vain to have an ownership issue solved over the past nine months.

But, following calls from the Border Telegraph last week, both the region’s largest social landlord and the local authority are set to hold a site meeting at Sentry Knowe.

The wall and part of the footpath collapsed into the garden of local builder Andrew Bytautus last January.

Fencing was quickly erected by Scottish Borders Council to keep children away. But ever since, calls for action have gone ignored.

Mr Bytautus told the Border Telegraph: “I have been trying councillors and MSPs as well as asking the council and the housing association yet this has dragged on and on.” Close to a tonne of rubble remains scattered over Mr Bytautus’s back lawn.

Although the property, which was bought from Scottish Borders Council 20 years ago, is in private ownership much of the surrounding infrastructure was signed over to Scottish Borders Housing Association during the transfer in March, 2003.

A spokeswoman for the housing association told us: “SBHA had been asked to assist in identifying responsibility and ownership of a public footpath and road retaining wall which had broken-down leaving rubble in an owner occupier’s garden. “Scottish Borders Council immediately made safe the area and it remains cordoned off to the public. The property was sold under right to buy over 20 years ago and is no longer owned by SBHA.

“We will be meeting with the owner and Scottish Borders Council to assist in identifying ownership to enable completion of the remedial works required. “SBHA has been in dialogue with the owner and updating them on progress to date.” Similar ownership problems prevented maintenance and repairs being carried out at areas in Langlee following the transfer.

But it is not anticipated the same legal wrangles will hold up work at Sentry Knowe.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “SBC is working with Scottish Borders Housing Association to establish ownership and liabilities of the retaining wall and footpath. A meeting will be held shortly to seek to resolve these matters and establish a workable solution.

“Since the wall collapse, the council has cordoned off the affected area to ensure the safety of pedestrians and road users.”