VIRGIN MEDIA have been criticised after residents were hemmed in their homes for an hour when they turned up unannounced in a street in Halbeath. 

Neighbours in Spynie Place say they had no notice from the company, who arrived last week to install fibre optic broadband on the road. 

Residents were stuck for about an hour last Thursday morning – leading to fears of how they could be reached in an emergency. 

Rabb Reynolds, from Spynie Place, is an amputee and is currently going through treatment for cancer. 

Although he praised the workmen employed to carry out the work for Virgin Media who offered to help any way they could, he was unimpressed that there had been no warning of what was happening. 

“I need to go for treatment every day and thankfully I wasn’t being picked up until later on so the workmen could sort out access by then,” he said. 

“But when I first saw what they were doing I panicked a bit as I worried whether I was going to be able to get out. 

“I mean I have to get my treatment every day. 

“There was no letter or anything to say they were coming. 

“Plans need to be in place in case people need access to get out, and without notification how can we warn them of problems?”

A spokesman for the Halbeath residents and tenants association said: “I’m told this will be going on for 20 days across Halbeath. 

“They aren’t supposed to start work until 8am but it was 7.30am when work began at Spynie Place. I’m very concerned that they will be going to Fod Street too as there are already issues with parking on the road. 

“Again there only selected addresses appeared to get letters.” 

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “Homes should have received notification of the upcoming works and signs have been placed in the area. We also have staff on the ground speaking to local residents about any issues they may have.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”