Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Residents hit out at ‘chaos’ on road: ‘It’s as if we’re barricaded in’
RESIDENTS on a Dundee street claim they have been left “barricaded” in their homes during roadworks.
Resurfacing work is taking place on East Haddon Road, just off Arbroath Road, in the Craigiebank area.
Locals were sent a letter by the council, telling them the work was starting last Monday for 25 days.
The letter said access for residents would be maintained “where possible”, but they were asked to keep traffic movements “to a minimum”.
However, those living on the street then claim they were later told access is limited during the full street closure.
Anne McConnell, who has lived in her home for nearly 50 years, says she accepts that the work needs to be done.
But she is unhappy at the level of disruption and lack of clear information.
Anne, who is retired, said: “The road is a mess, it’s badly needing done and I am glad it is.
“But we were told it would last four weeks and we would still have access to our properties and our driveways.
“On Thursday they dug up the bottom half of the street and left the rubble piled everywhere so we couldn’t get in or out of our driveways.
“I understand it needs to be done, but surely they cannot block people in their homes. We thought we would be able to get in and out no problem.
“Surely they could have organised this in a better way. It’s like we have been barricaded in.”
Irene Sutherland, who lives across the road, says her business has been impacted.
She said: “Last week was just chaos, we couldn’t get out all weekend.
“I have a trailer for my business and I couldn’t get stock up.
“I deal with antique furniture and part of my job is going to auctions and everything has just been so chaotic. It’s impacted my business – I’ve lost sales, without a doubt.
“We were told via a letter that we would be able to get out of our driveways.
“But we’ve since been told that’s not correct and we should have been told there would be a complete closure.”
Lynn Robertson, 40, says she has been forced to park her car on the next street over despite having a blue badge for her disabled nine-year-old son.
She also claims some bins went unemptied on Monday, adding: “I know it’s just their job and it has to be done, but it’s just been a nightmare.”
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “We are currently carrying out carriageway and footway resurfacing in East Haddon Road, necessitating
a full closure of the road to vehicles while the works are carried out.
“While we have an authorised full closure, we are trying to maintain as much access as possible as explained in the letters of notice previously served to all residents in the area. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the work, there will be occasions when there is no safe passage for private vehicles until the necessary work has been carried out.”