A SHOWDOWN erupted between householders and broadband engineers working in Helensburgh over a continued lack of communication, or permission, for work in the town, residents have claimed.

Contractors for Virgin Media have been installing superfast broadband across Helensburgh - but residents have repeatedly complained that they weren't told until cars were blocked into driveways and paths dug up.

Last week a standoff erupted at a property in East King Street where contractors Kier Group began digging directly next to a house foundation to install a cabinet.

Homeowners stood in vigil to defend against further work while they argued the location was on private property and they never agreed to the work.

Virgin claimed the work is not taking place on private land, and said Argyll and Bute Council had given permission across the area.

Meanwhile other homeowners argue there is no permission from local land owner Luss Estates for work on grass verges in town, where digging for Virgin lines has been under way.

The council, Luss Estates and Virgin Media have all been approached by the Advertiser but have yet to comment.

But Helensburgh Central councillor Graham Hardie said the work is bypassing even the council under statutory powers.

READ MORE: Virgin Media issue apology to Helensburgh residents for disruption

David Lawson said they had been away for a couple of days and returned to East King Street to find work in progress.

The next morning, he said, contractors refused to stop work, and "excavated right down to our house foundations and the back wall of the house was vibrating".

He said Virgin later told him that they had "no right of complaint" because the council had agreed the cabinet could go there.

Mr Lawson said: "Following this, ourselves and our neighbours started a vigil, standing at the wall to prevent further work.

"The next day, four vehicles drew up outside our house. Seven people got out and congregated at the corner of the street. They then moseyed along to where we were standing.

"It was like a scene from a cowboy film. It was a blatant attempt at intimidation. There was even a heavy minder lurking at the back.

"The spokesman refused to believe that it was our footpath. He said that with his vast experience he could spot a private footpath."

Mr Lawson said the council had later confirmed the footpath was actually private. He said had he been asked permission, he would have refused.

Another resident, in Charlotte Street, said: "Helensburgh is in chaos because roads are being dug up by Virgin.

"The council seem to have not got involved in this at all. The council didn't tell anyone and doesn't seem to care.

"All this digging up has come as a surprise. They dug up the grass verge but the grass doesn't belong to the council or residents - it belongs to Luss Estates.

"They have not given permission. It seems to be a total shambles."

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Councillor Hardie told the Advertiser: "It appears that Virgin are acting under statutory powers given by the New Roads Street Works Act of 1991. 

"Anecdotally, it does look as if Virgin have issues with how their contractors, Kier handled the relevant notification procedures in advance of the planned start of the works.

"I understand that arrangements were being made between Virgin and Kier to try to get their message out wider, towards the end of last week. 

"The works being carried out on behalf of Virgin by Kier appear to be permitted in terms of the Act referred to above and the Council does not have a role in this matter." 

Virgin Media last week apologised to residents of Kennedy Drive who had found their cars had been confined to their driveways by the extensive work.

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “We apologise to residents in Kennedy Drive who didn’t receive letters in advance of our works beginning.

“This should have been done by our contractor, and we have been in touch with them to remind them of the importance of giving residents advanced notice before any works take place.

“We are sending a member of staff to the street today to speak with residents about the works, listen to any concerns and apologise personally for any inconvenience caused.

“Once our works are completed, residential and business customers in the area will be able to benefit from our fastest broadband services.”

The company has yet to issue a response to the Advertiser's follow-up questions after we reported on the Kennedy Drive incident.