Streets are not paved with gold for frustrated barber

FED-UP businessman Gerry Kerr has hit out after freshly laid pavements in Portobello were dug up to install new street lights.

A trader for ten years at his outlet Gerry's Hairdressers, Mr Kerr said he couldn't believe it when he received a council notice just a day after weeks of paving work had finally concluded outside his shop in the High Street.

The notice said the installation of lampposts could cause disruption for a further two or three weeks.

He said: "There should have been some logic to it. Surely if street lights had been put in first they would not have to dig up swathes of the High Street again?

"I have even had one of the council road workers saying to me 'we have to dig this up again, what a disgrace this is'.

"It's a waste of council taxpayers' money."

Earlier this year the Evening News reported a new pavement laid along the High Street in January, as part of an 800,000 regeneration project, was replaced just three weeks later to install street lights. And last year roadworks to Seafield Roundabout took six months longer than expected.

Mr Kerr said he received the official notice last Saturday, just hours after work had been completed.

The 58-year-old said dozens of holes have been carved out on either side of High Street in preparation for the street lights making the town centre look "a mess".

He said ongoing improvements, originally scheduled for completion by May, were turning the area into a "ghost town". He said: "People avoid it now because of all the road and street works. People's habits change and when that happens they don't come back to the High Street.

"After 1pm the place is a ghost town. You could shoot a bullet up the High Street and not fear hitting anyone. So I thought it was a waste of time remaining open in the afternoon."

A council spokeswoman said the upgrade of the main shopping area of Portobello High Street had made a "huge difference to the overall look and feel of the town centre".

She added: "During this latest phase, it was decided that the most efficient way to finish the work was to lay the paving slabs and then to lift some slabs to put in columns for the new street lighting, thus preventing multiple contractors being on site at one time, which could cause further disruption and pose safety issues.

"Traders were consulted and have been fully advised of the approach that has been adopted. This work has gone to plan and will be complete by next week."