STILL attached to a collapsed wall of scaffolding that was once holding up an ugly grey high rise office at West Port, is a sign that boldly states: "Considerate Constructors Scheme: Improving the Image of Construction."

Its forlorn status – it has been left lying discarded on top of a mountain of rubble – is a fitting symbol reflecting what many people feel about the botched demolition job that has left some residents homeless and businesses out of pocket.

Locals were originally pleased that the former Post Office building was being cleared to make way for a huge £20 million office development to help to regenerate what critics see as a less than salubrious area of Edinburgh.

But they could never have expected the inconvenience caused when the building's demolition went wrong on two separate occasions.

"If this had happened in the middle of exams, then it would have been a massive issue," says Alistair Macdonald, who lives opposite the demolition site on West Port.

The 22-year-old Edinburgh University student adds: "We have only just moved into this flat so luckily we still had our other flat at Findhorn Place so we just went back there, but it was really frustrating not being able to get into your home."

The problems on the site first began last Monday when the fourth floor of the building collapsed, leaving one worker limping from the scene with minor injuries.

Streets around the unstable building were cordoned off and the neighbouring shops and flats evacuated.

Then on Saturday, locals were again evacuated and watched from a safe distance as the front of the building crumbled.

Many were forced to find alternative accommodation for the night and a tenement block containing a dozen flats on Lauriston Street remains off-limits to its residents.

While the majority of those living there were able to seek refuge from friends and family, one couple had no choice but to turn to the council because they had nowhere else to go.

Residents were shocked when they told by police to quickly gather what they could and get out.

"The first thing I heard was the sirens and, when I looked out of my window, I saw all the workmen running about and fire engines arriving," recalls taxi control room supervisor David Nelson.

"Then, just after 1pm on the Monday, a policeman approached me and told me I would have to get out of the building for safety reasons."

When an emergency happens and residents have to be evacuated, it is up to Edinburgh City Council to ensure no one is left out in the cold.

On Saturday, a council housing officer was on the scene within hours and, with the help of police, made contact with everyone who needed to be evacuated.

"If someone needs re-housing, then we will assess their needs, and find somewhere suitable - they may be elderly, disabled or have children," explained a council spokeswoman.

"We will also assess how long they will need to be re-housed for and we have a list of accommodation to hand for this.

"In terms of a choice, it depends on the amount of accommodation we have at the time and how many people need it."

During Saturday's incident, only two people were re-homed, although history student Craig Townsend claims they were strongly advised to find their own place to sleep because of the poor quality of the accommodation.

"The council said they could provide a place for us to stay but recommended against taking it because it was the accommodation provided for homeless people," says the 19-year-old.

"I was a bit annoyed about it and I don't think the council dealt with things well. The accommodation should have been up to scratch."

But while some were being offered bed and breakfast accommodation, Mr Nelson was stunned to find himself spending the night in a luxury apartment.

"It was at the Holyrood Apart Hotel. I had a suite – two double bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom – all to myself," recalls the 44-year-old, who lives in housing association accommodation at West Port.

"It was very nice and I might even give it top marks out of ten," he jokes.

"I was also provisionally booked in for a second night but was given the all clear and was able to go home."

While some were being relocated to plush apartments, those who were expecting to be staying in the five-star Knight Residence Apartments found their entry was barred.

On Saturday, general manager Colin Stone and his colleagues first feared they were going to have to relocate all 70 of their well-healed guests who found themselves temporarily barred from the building.

Eventually, site inspectors gave the hotel the all-clear to open all but three of its apartments as long as they pledged to keep windows shut and curtains drawn.

The displaced guests, who were expecting to be staying in the three ground floor suites, were relocated to the Melville Castle Hotel.

"With Edinburgh being so busy, it is difficult for us to find somewhere suitable to put our guests," says Colin, 36.

"Also, we are all booked up until September and the trouble is we don't know how long this is going to go on so how far in advance we need to find alternatives for people.

"We are delighted West Port is being redeveloped and what's happened has happened but the businesses in the area have been badly let down through a lack of communication as we are not being kept in the loop about what's happening."

Colin is not the only one in the area to feel kept in the dark. Traders have noted a drop in business as people wrongly assume they have closed their doors, and are so angry that they are attempting to secure a meeting with local politician Sarah Boyack.

"We want more communication with the companies who are involved in the building work," explains exasperated florist Susan McManus.

"We don't know what's happening from one day to the next and we want to know what rights we have to make up for the fact that people aren't coming down this way because they don't realise we are open."

The 26-year-old has also found herself lugging heavy stock great distances because she can no longer park her van outside her shop Lily West.

As health and safety inspectors survey the scene and determine when work can resume, it seems there's no shortage of apologies.

The site owner, Kenmore Property Group, says it is sympathetic to the situation locals have found themselves and has expressed "distress and regret" at the upheaval caused.

While Miller Construction, the company responsible for the demolition, has stated that safety remains a top priority.

"We hope to re-commence the demolition work within the coming days," says a spokeswoman.

"We will continue to liaise closely with all parties involved throughout this period."