Local businesses in Thornton are facing rack and ruin due to the devastating effect of long-standing roadworks in the village, it has been claimed.
Shopkeepers say they are losing thousands of pounds a day as contractors continue to dig up the roads in Main Street in an effort to connect a new solar farm to the electricity sub-station located at the Redhouse roundabout on the A92.
And with the work taking far longer than expected, Thornton councillor Ross Vettraino has accused those behind the project of showing a complete disregard for the damage being done to the local economy.
“The two-way and sometimes three-way traffic lights have caused queuing traffic, which has rendered parking to be impossible and has prevented the passing trade on which the businesses depend,” he explained.
“It’s not just the immediate damage which is causing concern.
“What is even more worrying is the permanent damage which will be caused if the passing trade doesn’t return when the work is finished.
“I expect statutory undertakers, such as Scottish Power, to be sensitive to the potential for damage which works such as these can cause the local economy and to take whatever steps are required to ensure that work is completed in the shortest possible time.
“In that regard, I expect the work to be ongoing during every daylight hour, but all too often the work has been at a standstill in fine weather with not a worker in sight.
“Scottish Power has failed to observe the moral duty, which I believe it has, to ensure that the inconvenience and cost to the communities that it serves is kept to a minimum.”
Jill Muir, who owns JJ’s Takeaway, estimates that she has lost more than two thirds of her business and admitted being reduced to tears as she fears for the future.
“It’s not just the financial loss which is upsetting,” she added.
“The arrogant insensitivity which has been demonstrated by Scottish Power is quite breath-taking.
“Not only is the queuing traffic preventing the passing trade from accessing shops, but Scottish power has attempted to add to the problem by trying to locate ‘no parking’ cones in the parking bays outside the shops.
“The place is turning into a ghost town because people don’t want to come through the village.
“In the circumstances, I have tried to speak with representatives of Scottish Power but I am sorry to say that I was met with attitudes that I can only describe as uncaring in the extreme.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Margaret Delmaestro, another business owner, who added: “Steps must be taken to ensure that such circumstances can never arise again.
“I know that Councillor Vettraino has been trying to get Fife Council to expedite matters, but I understand that he has been told that there is very little that the council can do to help.
“That just isn’t good enough.”
An SP Energy Networks spokesperson said: “SP Energy Networks have an obligation to carry out this work and have been working closely with the local businesses to minimise disruption.
“We have a project manager on site every day to deal with any issues. The work is on schedule and due to be completed by the end of March.
“The traffic management in place is to make sure the public’s safety comes first and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
