A concerned and fed up business owner has said that she is begrudgingly condemning Edinburgh City Council’s road works in the capital’s West End once again.
Virginie Brouard, the owner of Le Di Vin & Le P’tit Foli, has said that work being carried out on Randolph Place, Charlotte Square and other areas of the local area is dragging on and severely impacting businesses and residents.
She had previously spoken to Edinburgh Live about building works outside of her business. As a result of the article, the works were moved from directly outside of the wine bar but remained an obstacle for customers accessing the space.
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She argues that the remaining diggers and rubble is not only putting customers off using her business after a difficult pandemic period, but that they are also a severe health and safety hazard. She says that the obstruction means that ambulances are unable to access the business if anything were to happen to a staff member or customer on site.
The successful mum added that Randolph Place has been inundated with road work materials that have also meant that older customers - that the business relies on for their lunch service - cannot access Le Di Vin & Le P’tit Foli.
Charlotte Square, which is located through a short lane from the wine bar, has also been under siege from roadworks that Virginie argues, and that the council are removing parking spaces from residents and workers alike. She states that the council has informed those in the area that these works will be carried out in phases, creating “continuous” disruption for those in the area.
She said: “Roadworks in the area started back in May. They closed parking bays on Charlotte Square and placed yellow cones in their place whilst also putting sleeves on the parking meters.
“We were told that this was to introduce a cycle lane project. However residents and businesses are worried that we are going to lose vital parking spaces in the process.
“Some have said that there could be a loss of at least a dozen parking spaces at the Square. A friend of mine who works on Charlotte Square said that the project will be completed in phases which will cause long lasting disruption for everyone in the area.
“My business on Randolph Place has also been blocked off for some time as they are using the street to shift their diggers, broken slabs and a mountain of rubble. This is not good for business but is especially bad for the safety of everyone in the bar.
“What if we need an ambulance or a fire engine and there is nowhere to park? We have over 100 people coming in at times.
“It has impacted our ability to trade. We do a set lunch and our customers are quite old.
“They would park close to the restaurant due to their mobility issues but now they cannot do that. Deliveries are also a major problem.”
Virginie said that she has to pay £600 for a parking permit to the council but due to the continuously ongoing roadworks she is unable to park outside her business. The owner says that she supports active travel but she has children and all of their activities and school runs to accommodate meaning that cycling is not an option.
She continued to say that the works had been further delayed by the council resurfacing Queensferry Street for the Queen’s coffin to pass - something that will be damaged by the roadworks that are still to be completed.
She said: “They must have spent tens of thousands on temporarily resurfacing Queensferry Street which will be destroyed next week when they continue the road works. I wish the council would speak to businesses and residents before damaging our ability to make a living.
“With the weather turning and the cost of living crisis we do not need any more obstacles put in front of us. I need to have my wine bar redecorated before winter starts and there is no room for the scaffolding because of these never ending road works.
“I do not want to have a black mark put next to my name by complaining all the time about the council but something has to be done.”
It is understood that the council will be carrying out the roadworks in Charlotte Square, Hope Street and Melville Street in phases “in order to minimise disruption to traffic.” They say that delays in the completion of existing work was due to the passing of the Queen’s cortege.
Temporary road surfacing work was carried out by the council for the passing of the Queen’s coffin and it is believed that more permanent resurfacing will take place in the near future. The council said they could not reveal how much the temporary resurfacing cost at this time due to commercial sensitivity.
They add that the road works team has to take into consideration what other work is taking place nearby so as not to create confusion with diversion routes when they plan the different projects. They also work with the various public transport providers and emergency services to ensure that their services to the public are maintained during the works.
They also said that access to Randolph Place would continue to be restricted whilst work across the phases is carried out. This is expected to last for at least another five weeks.
Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener, said: “The council is in the process of realigning parking on Charlotte Square as part of a project to significantly improve walking and cycling facilities, as well as public spaces, in the square, linking in with the City Centre West to East Link scheme.
“Officers have written to residents and businesses to provide information on the project and changes to parking, and will continue to keep them up-to-date as we progress. I’d like to thank them for their patience as we carry out this work.”
The roadwork list for the council can be accessed by clicking here.
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