RESIDENTS in Cockenzie and Port Seton are frustrated at telecom and utility companies digging up their streets and roads and causing disruption.

The problem primarily surrounds the installation of new fibre internet cables throughout the village, which has seen roads ripped up on multiple occasions by multiple contractors.

In some instances, this has resulted in one telecom company installing cables, re-tarring and repairing the road surface before another company excavates the exact same location.

Virgin have been carrying out works across the village, with disruption throughout Edinburgh Road, East Lorimer Place, Gosford Road and Links Road alongside lower impact works elsewhere.

BT had previously worked on some of the same areas that Virgin are now servicing, with 33 of the 34 ongoing roadworks in the village being conducted by fibre installation firms.

On Long Craigs, a 25-day set of works by Virgin was recently completed on October 1 while works by BT took place on the same street on October 10.

East Lothian Courier: The placing of this new telecommunications box near the junction of Fishers Road and Links Road – right next to a flower bed – has been described as “inconsiderate”The placing of this new telecommunications box near the junction of Fishers Road and Links Road – right next to a flower bed – has been described as “inconsiderate”

Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council also expressed a grievance about the ongoing works, failing to understand how companies cannot co-operate to minimise potential damage to local businesses and disruption to residents.

A community council spokesperson said: “Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council share the frustrations of the local community regarding these works which cause considerable disruption and often leave unsightly results.

“The lack of advance notification and, in cases when cable boxes are being installed no consultation, cause further disruption to not just residents, but local businesses who report loss of business.

“We find it hard to understand the apparent lack of joined up planning between utility companies and this has resulted in some streets being dug up twice in a short period of time!

East Lothian Courier: Utility works are frequently taking placeUtility works are frequently taking place

“The inconsiderate positioning of the latest Virgin cable box at the bottom of Fishers Road, blocking a recently planted flower bed, is an example of why people get so upset.

“We have highlighted concerns to our local elected representatives and will continue to monitor the situation and put pressure where appropriate.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson outlined how such behaviour was standard practice, with contractors being permitted to carry out works at times that suit their own timescales.

She said: “Contractors working on behalf of telecoms providers are ‘statutory undertakers’ which means they are permitted to access public roads for their works as required and are only obliged to give local authorities lead times for this.

“Ideally, such works ought to be co-ordinated but separate contractors are working to different time scales and availability which can result in similar works at different times.”

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “We’re currently expanding our network to bring gigabit broadband to more homes and businesses in the area.

“We always aim to minimise disruption as much as possible and we’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”