Haymarket businesses face more disruption after '˜year of hell'

ANGRY shopkeepers are bracing themselves for more misery as their road is dug up again days after 11 months of disruptive works finally ended.

Kim McBride (second right front row ) pictured with shop keepers and owners of retail outlets in Haymarket Terrace. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The Evening News reported earlier this week how a £2.5m new Scottish Water sewer project in Haymarket Terrace was finally completed after running two months behind schedule.

Now Scottish Gas Networks (SGN) have announced it plans to replace old gas mains in the same street with new plastic piping.

“It’s disgusting,” said owner of recruitment firm Premier Connections, Katrina McBride, 65.

“I don’t understand why when the hole was there they didn’t say ‘if you guys want to do something, there you go’.

“It’s been going on for a long time. I’ve been here 33 years. It’s been going on 24-7. It’s outrageous.”

But an SGN spokeswoman assured some work was done during the last upheaval but the new project is designed to minimise disruption.

She said the work is at the opposite side of the street so workmen would have had to close Haymarket Terrace completely for both sewer and gas works to be done at the same time.

Green councillor for the area Claire Miller said: “Coming hot on the heels of major works for Scottish Water at Haymarket, local residents and businesses will be dismayed at the prospect of a further two months of disruption.

“I’ve asked senior officers about the timing and scale of the work and why the disruption cannot be more streamlined. It does feel like Haymarket has been a building site for far too long.”

The gas works will run between Rosebery Crescent and Magdala Crescent with traffic flowing in both directions but reduced to two lanes.

The Haymarket Terrace junction with Coates Gardens will be closed. Work will start on August 17 and is expected to finish by early October - before a second phase later in the year in Roseburn Terrace.

Drop-in sessions are being held at Apex Haymarket Hotel on Tuesday, August 14 between 4.30pm and 8.00pm in a bid to keep businesses informed.

The SGN spokeswoman added: “This essential work involves the replacement of old, metal gas mains with new 
plastic pipe – ensuring a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come.

“We’ve worked closely with the local authorities in planning our work.

“We understand there’s no ideal time to carry out roadworks, but by carrying out this project now, we’re minimising future disruption for local residents, businesses and commuters.”

[email protected]