INVERCLYDE traders are suffering because of alleged lack of co-ordination over roadworks that started last September will go on for another three months.

Councillor David Wilson says he is outraged at the disruption being caused to shops in Kilmacolm by gas network company SGN and Scottish Water.

The Depute Provost says the council should have done a better job of controlling the way roads are being dug up.

He said: “SGN are starting pipework in Lochwinnoch Road this month, following Scottish Water working in Kilmacolm since last September.

“The SGN job will take six to eight weeks, and then Scottish Water will resurface the road.

“This will mean serious disruption from last September until this July on this stretch of road, following the debacle by Scottish Water in botching the job three years ago.

“SGN will then move to Bridge of Weir Road, Porterfield Road, Glencairn and Houston Roads, and the narrow and windy Barclaven Road will present serious problems.

“Why was this work not done and co-ordinated with Scottish Water three years ago?

“Do the utilities not talk to each other, and should the council not be investigating the future plans of the utilities in order to bring some planning to the situation?

“Our traders are suffering. The performance of Scottish Water has been appalling.”

Scottish Water say they liaise closely with the council as the roads authority, and with any relevant utilities before starting any work.

A spokesman said: “Our partner, Caledonia Water Alliance, is working on our upgrade of more than 2.6 miles of water mains, which will improve the security of supply to customers in the Kilmacolm area.

“We have done everything possible to minimise any inconvenience to affected customers and road users during our work, and will continue to do so.”
SGN spokesperson, Katie Lobban, said they are planning work to upgrade the gas network in the Kilmacolm area.

She said: “This is essential work to replace old metal gas mains with new plastic pipe, and will ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area for many years to come.

“We are planning our work in close consultation with Inverclyde Council, who co-ordinate all work carried out by utility companies. As our plans progress, we’ll also engage with the local community in advance of any work starting.”

She added: “We appreciate roadworks can be frustrating, but would like to reassure the local community we’ll do everything we can to plan this essential work in a way which will minimise disruption as much as possible.”

A council spokesman said utility companies have a statutory right to access infrastructure for maintenance and improvement.

He said: “Proposed works — along with those planned by the council — are co-ordinated through the Scottish Roadworks Register to minimise disruption to road users and, where possible, to minimise the amount of work required on any given stretch of road.”