ANGRY traders have forced National Grid to apologise and pay compensation for damage it caused during work in the High Street.
The gas and electricity company will cover the cost of a sign outside bookmaker's William Hill, which directed drivers to the free Cedar Court car park.
The sign was flattened by one of its lorries during the long-running and controversial repairs that ended on December 5.
It had been put aside to be reinstalled, but traders were furious when workers left the site and the sign was nowhere to be seen.
Shopkeepers searched the village in vain.
Now a temporary sign has been installed and National Grid is working with Hillingdon Council to ensure a damaged lamppost column is repaired and a permanent sign installed. National Grid confirmed it will pay for it.
Traders have also called on the council to improve signs for the car park, claiming the lack is affecting business.
David Baddeley, of Harefield Opticians, said: "At present shoppers are not aware of the car park's presence, and if they do venture in, they are unsure if they are allowed to park there.
"There should be several signs on the high street indicating where to park.
"When you drive into Harefield at the minute it is very inhospitable."
