MOTORISTS are facing the "worst ever" disruption on the Capital's streets as new figures today showed there are nearly 500 sets of roadworks under way in the city.
The picture is particularly bad in the city centre, where sets of "high impact" works fill the streets, compounding the congestion caused by the tram works.
The figures from John Gooday, Scotland's roadworks commissioner, show a total of 493 sets of roadworks across the city – an increase of more than 25 per cent in the past the eight months.
The disruption was today described as "never-ending" and led to criticism about the way the works were co-ordinated.
David Legge, of the Association of British Drivers, said the level of roadworks currently ongoing in the city was "ridiculous".
He said: "We can't criticise any works which are about improving the state of the roads, but most of these works are being carried out by utility firms.
"The city council should be ensuring that the same piece of road is not being dug up 500 times, but I don't think that is being done at the moment. Certainly, driving around Edinburgh, it doesn't seem like that's happening."
Raymond Davidson, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Association, added: "The roadworks seem to be worse than ever. It's non-stop. A figure of 500 is very high for a city the size of Edinburgh and they seem to be digging up the same bit of road over and over.
"One company finishes and then, lo and behold, another utility firm is in the next week, digging it up again."
When the Evening News checked the Scottish Roadworks Register website yesterday, which provides real-time updates, there were 493 sets of roadworks being carried out in the city – up from 392 when we ran a similar story in November.
Most of the works are the responsibility of the city council or utility companies, including Scottish Gas, ScottishPower and BT.
The city council has brought in a number of measures in recent months, including fining utility firms, to make sure all repairs are carried out quickly and effectively. But despite the moves, about one in eight road repairs carried out by utility firms in Edinburgh needs to be redone.
Councillor Robert Aldridge, environment leader, said: "A significant proportion of the increase is accounted for by major utility mains replacement works, which are essential following guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. In addition, the method of measuring the number of road openings has changed since the Transport Scotland Act came into force last year, and these figures are therefore not directly comparable.
"We continue to take our responsibility to keep Edinburgh moving very seriously and will work closely with each of the utility companies to ensure that roadworks are co-ordinated and managed effectively.
"Significant co-operation has been received from the utilities and their contractors, in accommodating late requests to postpone works due to other emergencies, and their willingness to work extended and weekend hours to progress critical works to a conclusion."
• www.roadworksscotland.org
• www.edinburgh.gov.uk 