Redditch businesses could close (From Redditch Advertiser)

Redditch businesses could close

10:18am Tuesday 7th July 2009

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BUSINESSES on Evesham Road are in danger of being forced to close because of roadworks.

Areas of Evesham Road in Headless Cross and Crabbs Cross have been closed so work can be carried out by the National Grid to replace 100-year-old gas pipes with new plastic pipes.

The areas of road were closed at the end of June and are expected to remain so for at least another six weeks.

Maria Magro from Aviva Designs on Evesham Road said: “I’m losing thousands and thousands of pounds a week because of these road works, in the last three weeks I’ve had just three customers.

“The timing could not have been worse, we’re in the middle of a recession and we’re all struggling anyway and then this happens.

“It’s going to be a real push. I can’t say for certain that in another six weeks I’ll be here. I’m getting to the point now where I can’t think about it.”

She added: “And it’s not just my shop. We’re all in the same position and just want to get the message out to people that we’re open for business as usual and we need our customers’ support.”

Town MP Jacqui Smith is lending her support to Maria and other shop owners and is setting up a meeting with police, Worcestershire County Council and the contractor to see what can be done to help with the loss of trade.

Ms Smith said: “Everyone understands that improvements to utility services are a good thing but there has plainly been a very big problem with communication.

“The work is extensive and carried out in stages but a blanket road closure has been introduced which seems to be unnecessary and overcomplicated.

“The implications for some shops is very serious given the time that the road closure could be in place.”

A county council spokesman said: “When the utilities companies apply for road or partial road closures, our only influence is to ask them to tie in with any other works going on in the area at the same time so as to minimise any disruption.

“However, due to the nature of their work, we can't refuse them permission to carry out maintenance on their assets.”

A National Grid spokesman said: “Because of the position of the pipes we can’t keep the road open and do the work at the same time.

“We have estimated that the whole works will take about eight weeks from start to finish to complete and all the businesses along Evesham Road were warned about the works and the length of time it would take to complete.

“If we can get the work done quicker then we will do it.”

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