West Lothian shopkeepers' fury as diggers arrive unannounced

SHOPKEEPERS in Broxburn's Greendykes Road reacted furiously after workmen arrived and started digging up the pavements in front of their shops.

For they hadn't been told that the work was due to start.

Now West Lothian Council says it regrets that the shopkeepers were not informed.

"I had customers turn back," said Rae Johnston, of the Candle House.

Harry Adams, of Second Hand World, said: "We are at a complete standstill, customers are not coming in because they are not able to take anything away from the shop."

Mr Adams said he had arrived for work to find that he couldn't even get into his own shop. "We should have been informed this work was starting," he blasted.

The shop owner said that, when he arrived, barriers had not been erected, holes were not covered, and loose cement had not been swept away. "It was only after we contacted the council that these problems were resolved."


A West Lothian Council spokesman commented: " Work started in May at Greendykes Road in Broxburn to instal improved road safety measures and at the same time undertake road maintenance and street lighting improvements.


" The current works are related to the installation of street lighting ducts and should be substantially complete by the end of this week. The contractor was under instruction to notify all businesses and properties in advance of undertaking any work. Regrettably this did not happen. A council officer went to the site as soon as this was brought to our attention and spoke with affected businesses and the contractor to rectify the situation.


" The nature of the work, which requires excavation of the footway, will cause some inconvenience to shoppers and visitors to the area. Access is being maintained to local businesses with the exception of very occasional short periods of time."