Roadworks chaos is 'never ending'

SHOPKEEPERS have hit out at "never ending" roadworks after gas workers started digging up a Canonmills street just three weeks after finishing work on the same spot.

Traders on Brandon Terrace thought they had seen the back of Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) when overrunning gas mains replacement works finished early last month.

But they were horrified to see the utility firm set up again last week to start a new 13-week project on the same section of the street.

And Canonmills businesses and residents face further roadworks misery this autumn when Scottish Water starts to replace water mains on Brandon Terrace as soon as the SGN work is finished.

SGN today would not be drawn on why its second project did not start immediately after the first works, but added that it was essential.

However, traders in Brandon Terrace today warned they are really suffering from the traffic diversions. Johnny Bacigalupo, who runs Napier Interiors, said: "It just seems like this whole area has been under siege from roadworks – it is never ending.

"Just when you think it is all over, another lot appear and the most frustrating thing is the pace they work at.

"You see them just standing around, there are seven of them at a time just looking into these holes and not seemingly doing much.

"We've had our parking spaces totally wiped out and nobody seems to give these utility firms the kick up the backside they need to finish these works."

The original gas works in Brandon Terrace started in March and were meant to last five weeks.

However, a lack of specialist parts meant there was a month-long hiatus on the work while SGN waited for the parts to come back into stock.

Jane McGregor, co-owner of keys and locks firm Edina, said: "It is incredibly frustrating to see them back in our street again.

"There just seems to be no end to it and we get next to no information about what is going on and why it is happening. We have noticed that things are quieter because we rely on a lot of passing trade but nobody can get parked."

The Scottish Water work scheduled for Brandon Terrace will see the utility firm use the same trenches dug by SGN so the road will not be resurfaced and then dug up again.

Inverleith councillor Lesley Hinds said: "It is incredibly frustrating – there just never seems to be any joined-up thinking with these utility works. Although all of these firms are signed up to these considerate contractor agreements there never seem to be any real enforcement action by the council if things overrun."

A spokeswoman for Scotland Gas Networks said: "Although we understand the frustration of local residents and businesses, this is an essential investment."

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport leader, said: "With development occurring across the city, utility companies have to improve and upgrade their infrastructure to allow for the additional pressures of serving more homes and businesses.

"We do try to work with the utilities to minimise problems and we have a concordat in place which makes them more accountable for the work they undertake."

• Gas main replacement work on Holyrood Road is expected to be completed by next week – ending ten months of works on the busy city centre road.

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk