A Dundee business has taken its complaint against the city council all the way to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).
The outdoor machinery firm Lawntech, based in Manhattan Works in Stobswell, has revealed it has contacted the public grievance body over the council’s controversial programme of roadworks which has changed the traffic management on a stretch of Dundonald Street.
It is unhappy with the £52,000 project to narrow the busy thoroughfare through a series of pavement “build-outs” as well as major alterations to the parking layout.
Brian Dunbar, manager of Lawntech, has, on numerous occasions, hit out at the authority, accusing it of not consulting with local businesses before pressing ahead with the work, a claim backed by other firms in the area.
But the council has always denied this, saying it notified residents, as well as the business community, of its plans well in advance.
Lawntech refuses to accept the council’s position and argues the new traffic arrangement is harmful to trade and even poses a threat to pedestrians crossing the road.
Despite now taking the grievance to Scotland’s final complaints stage, Mr Dunbar says he does not expect Dundee City Council to change the road back to the way it was, nor does he expect an apology as the council has “too much to lose”.
“We would hope given the problems we have had that the SPSO will be able to investigate, especially with regard to the delays we had in receiving information, the difference in dates that they say when the consultation took place, and most importantly the safety issues that these works have caused,” Mr Dunbar said.
“With regards to the council, we would not expect a U-turn we gave them plenty opportunity to amend the design but they do not seem to accept the view of the public. They seem to think they know best and pushed ahead with the work regardless.’Could not take sides'”The councillors involved in this seemed to take the side of the council. One in particular could not even be bothered to come and see for herself what the problem was when we initially raised it. The second kept saying he was in a difficult position and could not take sides why then did he stand for the position? Do they not have to represent their constituents?
“He gave the impression that he represented the council rather than us. With regard to their leader Ken Guild, three times I have asked him for a meeting to discuss the poor performance of his councillors and also the council itself. Surprise, surprise we have not had any communication.
“In conclusion, would we expect any changes given the responses to date? Certainly not!
“Unfortunately, as a small business we have had to devote considerable time to this problem, which has a financial bearing on the business but when a issue like this is clearly wrong, you have to fight it as best as you can.”
The SPSO deals with complaints about councils, the NHS, housing associations, the Scottish Government and its agencies and departments, colleges, universities, prisons and most public bodies.
The organisation aims to resolve complaints within a year, but this can vary depending on each case. The SPSO has the power to order local authorities to reverse any work they have carried out. It is not known if this option will be considered in this case, as a spokesman for the body said it does not comment on individual cases.