RESIDENTS say work on a £6 million revamp of the Grassmarket is posing a safety hazard and blocking access to homes.

Deep holes have been left unguarded after barriers were moved by vandals.

And traders and residents say contractors are digging too many holes without filling them in and leaving the area looking like a "bombsite".

Rachel Fleming, 40, a social care student, said she has been unable to use the front gate to her flat for a week because of the work. She said: "I have to buzz my neighbours and get them to open their gate. There are dumper trucks and workmen digging up the pavement in front of my flat.

"Every time you go out, there are even more bits of pavement lying about. There's a pile of rubble right in the middle of the street. The place is a bombsite.

"Last night there were youths out there kicking fencing and knocking down barriers. There's nothing at all being put in place for the consideration of safety.

"It's an accident waiting to happen. It's increasingly becoming unsafe for people to try to go out into their own street. There are a lot of elderly people and young children living here."

Her neighbour Tony Kray, 52, said: "They're just digging up the street willy-nilly. There are people falling over pavements. They've got the holes barriered off, but not well enough. It's dangerous.

"People are shoving the barriers into the middle of the road. They aren't secured to anything. There's a three or four foot hole, and anyone could just fall in. The site is a complete eyesore."

Traders also said the situation was frustrating, although the work would bring long-term benefits to the area.

Bill Cowan, who runs Costume HaHa, said he thought there was a need to keep people better informed.

He said: "The Grassmarket is not like other streets. There are 500 people who live there, as well as all the shops and restaurants. It's frustrating for them.

"It's difficult for some businesses at the moment. Our takings are down about 20 per cent. Some shops are really struggling.

"I think the contractors are doing a great job. They're keeping it as tidy as they can."

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport leader, said the project was still on schedule to be completed in the autumn. He said: "Unfortunately, work by utility companies has resulted in some delays.

"Residents and business owners have always been closely involved and are regularly kept informed of any developments.

"While we want to keep disruption to a minimum, unfortunately this is not always easy to avoid as this is a major project which will transform the area.

"The safety barriers are the same ones which are commonly used during roadworks and have been targeted by vandals, but concerns about them have been noted and will be investigated."

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