A fed-up Midlothian pensioner claims workers trampled her flower beds and left pipes in her garden during roofing works.
Marie Dufty alleges her back garden was left in a mess after contractors for her local council 'walked over her plants' while working in her next door neighbour's house.
The OAP also claims her only door was blocked off for hours without any notice.
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Midlothian Council told Edinburgh Live they have since visited her garden and promised to pay for any damaged flowers.
After contractors started the work last week, Marie took to Facebook to vent her fury after claiming several large pipes were 'dumped' in her garden. The 69-year-old also lives with and cares for her 96-year-old mother in-law who she claims could not go into the garden to keep up her routine of feeding the birds due to the mess.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Marie said: "I moved the pipes to the front garden after one of the workers just shrugged at me when I asked him to move them.
"They also put the scaffolding in my flower beds. I know it was only a little bit of garden but it's all lavender and that doesn't look very nice when it's chopped in half. My rose bushes also got bits chopped off.
"The guy was also using the garden to empty the dirty water then just walked across the flowers like it was grass so I was shouting at him to get off and he just looked at me and shrugged his shoulders.
"Had they done the whole house, I would have accepted that they are going to make a mess but without sounding petty, they have only done half the house and not my half but they are using my garden to dump everything.
"Then there was an emergency as all the gates and fences were taken down so next door's dog ran away and I couldn't take my dog out either in case he ran away. I paid to have that fence put in and now a big chunk has been chopped out of it so it won't shut.
"The gates on the drive are also being left open. Because my door was blocked off I couldn't get out of the house to tell my neighbour that the dog had eventually been found. If I had an appointment than I wouldn't have been able to get out the door. All they had to do was knock and tell me they were blocking the door."
Marie said that there were tools and a big bit of wood strewn across the door so she couldn't get out at the time. Nearly a week since the scaffolding was erected next door to Marie, Midlothian Council confirmed that the work is expected to be completed on Friday, with a check also being carried out before the work is signed off.
They added that the contractor in question will replace any damaged plants at their own expense.
Marie continued: "I actually sent the dog to day care because he couldn't stand the noise. I think I'm going to have to get out and sweep the mess up myself as they will probably make more of a mess trying to do it.
"They just sawed through my plants below my window and they were expensive plants. I knew they may have to move them but I didn't expect that. It has all just been left in a mess.
"It was a trip hazard for Agnes who is 96. There were no lights on the scaffolding and she definitely couldn't have gone out at night if she wanted to. Even I have trouble getting round there. The whole thing was just inconvenient.
"I spend a lot of time on the garden and especially in the summer as it's nice for Agnes to get out and enjoy it. My daughter has also complained and got someone to come around and look at the damage."
After visiting Marie on Thursday, March 9, the pipes and scaffolding had been removed from her garden. There were, however, gaps in the fence that had been taken down and Marie's back gate was held in place with a plank of wood to ensure it stayed shut.
A Midlothian Council spokesman said: "We were made aware of the situation yesterday. Our officer visited and spoke to the site agent and the householder. Work has now been done to clear the area and all concerned parties are now happy with the situation. The contractor will replace any damaged plants at their own expense.
"Equipment lying in the garden is being removed this afternoon and the scaffolding is expected to come down on Friday. Our officer will come back to check everything is in order before signing off the work."
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