New slabs fail to pave the way for praise

The city council has held an official launch event for its 800,000 upgrade of Portobello High Street, which was supposed to help attract shoppers and visitors to the area from other parts of the city.

But there are claims today that the work is let down by the state of nearby streets that run off the High Street.

One resident has compiled a dossier of pictures of poor workmanship down the length of the street. In one part, a footprint has been left in unpaved cement, while a series of other parts of the paving have been uncompleted. Old manhole covers have been left untouched next to new pavement slabs, while one cover has been put back on the wrong way.

The city council today defended its work and said the problems came about because it did not own small former cellar doors and manhole covers on the street, so it could not upgrade these.

But 74-year-old Bellfield Street resident Robin Mackenzie - who has lived in Portobello for 35 years - said: "If they had left it alone, it would have been an average pavement. But having given it an upgrade, to leave it like this is ridiculous.

"The whole idea was to visually upgrade Portobello so that it could be a smart resort, but by doing it the way they have the town looks terrible."

Christine Robertson, who runs a wool and needlework shop, said: "It was a total waste of money. They said this would bring extra people here, but it's a ghost town. The whole rigmarole of getting it done has put people off coming here, and they've damaged the paint on shop fronts as well while doing the work."

The work cost 769,015 - with the Scottish Government's town centre regeneration fund providing 582,015 and the city council 187,000.

The work included new street 'furniture' and lighting.

A city council spokeswoman said the areas that appeared unfinished were former cellar doors, which are owned by the private individuals who own the properties, and manhole covers, which are owned by utility companies.

The city's economic development leader, Tom Buchanan, insisted that the work had improved the area.

He said: "These improvements have made an enormous difference."The High Street is greatly improved and this will attract more visitors and shoppers, while enhancing the area for businesses and residents."

The work was also praised by some businesses.

Joyce Heath, a partner in Mike's Tackle Shop, said: "The pavements look really great now and they are a nice light colour.

"I'm really pleased with the results and I hope the paving stones remain as clean."