A MILLION pound contract to upgrade underground electricity cables is turning Alexandria into a ghost town, angry shopkeepers have claimed.

The business owners say customers are staying away in droves because long-running roadworks and associated traffic lights are causing chaos and frustration on the town’s key routes.

Michael Lowe, who runs Lomond Computer Services in Lomond Galleries, has blasted ScottishPower for managing the work in a “haphazard and amateurish way”.

He said: “There has been chaos for months and people are avoiding the town centre. I have never seen it so quiet - it’s like a ghost town.

“This is affecting thousands in the town, including people going to Vale of Leven Hospital.”

The works, being carried out by a contractor for ScottishPower Energy Networks are part of a £1m planned investment project in Balloch and Alexandria to upgrade the existing cable infrastructure.

However, patience has finally run out for shopkeepers who say their businesses have been badly affected since before Christmas when the work started.

Michael said: “A lot of businesses are finding it extremely quiet. One company in the Galleries has already shut down.

“I am seeing a big downturn in footfall, but it’s a real worry for everyone.”

“Customers are telling me they are putting off coming here because they couldn’t be bothered with all the traffic lights.”

Read more: Council says sorry as roadworks spark long delays in Alexandria

However, the manner in which the work is being carried out is also annoying the shopkeepers.

Michael said: “They don’t seem to be working to a set programme - they are making it up as they go along and the job is progressing very, very slowly. There’s no urgency at all.

“No one seems to be in overall charge and there is no coordination. They will dig a hole, put up traffic lights and then nothing will happen for days.

“I feel sorry for people visiting Vale of Leven Hospital. They have perhaps driven all the way from Paisley to visit friends or relatives.

“Often the traffic lights will not be synchronised and this leads to a build up of traffic with tempers being frayed and horns being blown.”

ScottishPower Energy Networks are carrying out the work to improve the quality of supply to customers within the area and sustain any future load growth.

On Thursday, they told the Reporter that the two-way, three-way lights from the junction of King Edward Street along to the Balloch roundabout will remain until all reinstatement works are complete within seven to10 days.

Read more: Heavy goods vehicle overturns at the Lomondgate roundabout

Most of the works will be completed and removed from North Main Street / Luss Road and it is the company’s intention to have this section completed over the next seven to days.

A spokesperson for ScottishPower Energy Networks said: “The works being carried out are part of a £1m planned investment project in the Balloch / Alexandria area. We are upgrading the existing cable infrastructure which will improve the quality of supply to all our customers within the area and sustain any future load growth.

“We are working closely with the local authority roads department to minimise the level of disruption.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank the public for their patience during these essential works.”

When asked, a spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said the issue was one for ScottishPower.