A BEMUSED shopkeeper has accused workmen of staging an "Ealing comedy" after two pairs of beacons have been installed at the side of a road crossing - with neither set working properly.
Steve Heyman watched with increasing amazement as three different contractors descended on the road crossing, but claimed the workmen have now only created confusion by installing the redundant lights.
The crossing initially had two beacons includ
ing one which did not light up, although it now has two pairs of lights next to each other. However, only one of the four lights is now working, according to Mr Heyman.
The shopkeeper, who runs an organic grocery store in Fishergate, York, said: "First, about six weeks ago, they sent someone to come along and dig a hole for the new pole, but they didn't have anyone to connect it to the electricity supply.
"Then they sent someone along to dig another hole and connect up the pole, but they just went away leaving a coil of cable behind.
"Later, someone else came along and connected up the new pole, but it still isn't working, and the new one on the other side of the street still hasn't been connected.
"So there is only one working so far – one of the old poles which worked before anyway. Meanwhile, they've left a pile of rubble and fencing that obstructs the pavement.
"It's been like an Ealing comedy with various people digging holes then filling them in again. If I ran my business like this I would have been bankrupt years ago."
A York Council spokeswoman confirmed that the work had been carried out to replace existing poles with illuminated ones to improve visibility.
She added: "Unfortunately there has been a delay in getting the electricity supply to the new poles, which meant that two sets of poles have been in place for a short time. We understand that the electricity supply will be connected this week."
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