ROADWORKS caused a “nightmare” for residents who were not told about them until they happened.

Residents on Jubilee Road in Parkstone have been backed by the council after Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) works left nearby homes “covered in dust”, with “awful” noise as early as 6.30am.

The company has been issued with a penalty for working outside the permitted hours.

Resident Jeff Williams told the Daily Echo: “It’s been a nightmare in all honesty. Residents had no warning, there was no liaison and even having complained, nothing has changed.

“Under the terms of the permit for work they should not have started until 9am – and they should have issued letters advising residents what work will be done, but they haven’t.”

The works on Jubilee Road were part of the installation of a new electric vehicle charging unit in the nearby Jubilee car park. SSE crews installed a cable underneath the street, linking to a nearby substation.

Mr Williams added: “Mechanical diggers and jack hammers turned up in the morning within inches of a family home with no advanced warning given.”

“Not a grain of thought was given to householders. I am a hundred yards away and could hear the noise. I was appalled.”

As well as the works, residents claim barriers were left collapsed in the road and trenches exposed.

Bournemouth Echo: SSE apologises after residents on Jubilee Road complain SSE apologises after residents on Jubilee Road complain

A charging station on the nearby Ashley Road was previously crashed into by three separate cars within a two-year period.

Mr Williams added: “A year or so ago, a neighbour had Wessex Water do some repair works. They left the site in a bit of a state, so she complained and soon after received a gift hamper and an in-person apology. I can’t see SSE doing anything of the sort.”

A joint statement from SSE and BCP Council said: “SSE has carried out works at the request of BCP Council to connect a power supply that will enable the installation of chargepoints for electric vehicles at the council-owned Jubilee Road Car Park.

“This electricity connection and chargepoint installation will ultimately help the council and those who live and work in the area to meet their net zero ambitions, cutting noise and emissions in the local community as more residents – and visitors to the area – turn to the use of electric vehicles.

“Unfortunately, during these works excavations were carried out on August 11, which unintentionally ran outside of the core working hours permitted by BCP Council for that date and SSE has been issued with a fixed penalty notice.

"The distribution operator would like to stress that this timing was in error and sincerely apologises for any inconvenience this work may have caused.”

The work has now been completed.