'Road works are losing us trade' (From Bridgwater Mercury)

'Road works are losing us trade'

11:44am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

By Laura Nesbitt »

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BRIDGWATER businesses say they are suffering badly because of Wessex Water’s road works, which have brought the town centre to a grinding halt.

The works, which are part of the firm’s £10million Operation Clean and Clear programme, have resulted in lengthy delays for motorists, with several diversions in place.

North Street is currently closed to traffic from the Wembdon Road direction, while one lane of West Street is also closed at the junction with North Street, which has caused delays all the way up to Haygrove School at peak times.

While the work is causing frustration for motorists, businesses in North Street say customer footfall has fallen.

Star Fish Bar says it is receiving less than half its regular business and electrical store Aclands says it is getting about a quarter of its usual custom.

Nick Pike, of Aclands, said: “People are just avoiding this end of town for obvious reasons. But there was no notification to the businesses that they were going to close the road.”

Hairdressers at Chris and Co claim the lack of communication has left them very confused. Sara Hill said: “We were told last Thursday that there was going to be a problem with water so have been saving big buckets of water – but nothing’s happened yet.

“We don’t know whether to rearrange appointments or not, and few people are coming in off the street.”

Martine Holl, who runs Brookland Hotel, said: “They told me the water was going off, and to warn my guests they must shower before 8am. So I was up at 6am to do the washing - but it didn’t go off.

“I’ve had no one knocking at my door to let me know what’s going on.”

She added: “I’m just not as busy now. I mean who is going to want to stop here with all that going on outside?”

Wessex Water will be responding to businesses comments later this afternoon.

HAVE you been affected by the road works at North Street? Leave your comments here.

Comments(6)

FAIRVIEW_BRIDGWATER says...
12:00pm Thu 9 Sep 10

What annoys me is the road is closed in North street and then on Tuesday afternoon on the NDR one lane was closed each way at the traffic lights to Wembdon. I know it was only one afternoon but there was no priopr warning but then which way would you go ? Why dont they do one job at a time. They seem to enjoy bringing Bridgwater to a standstill.