Three years of paralysing road works due to end (From Redditch Advertiser)

Three years of paralysing road works due to end

12:00pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

THE end is in sight for businesses as well as residents along Evesham Road who have had to suffer more than three years of paralysing road works.

The Advertiser first reported that work, carried out by National Grid, was moving along the road to replace old gas pipes in 2009.

A number of concerned businesses got in touch to say that they were in danger of being forced to close because of the works affecting their trade.

It was a similar story over the following years with shop owners describing works as “paralysing” and “a nightmare”.

Recently, businesses as well as residents in Crabbs Cross have been bearing the brunt.

Jennifer Smith, from Paws and Whiskers Spa, described how the work has been ongoing since last year.

She said: “There are cones everywhere, people have trouble parking and keep getting moved on.

“As well as it being dangerous it is just the general disruption making it difficult for both for the clients and ourselves.”

Michael Morris from The Nursery Shop said: “It’s a nightmare. All the businesses along the Evesham Road feel like we’re being targeted.

“We saw one of our regular customers try to park recently but couldn’t so she drove off.”

In the past businesses have been offered compensation but many have said it has been made too difficult to claim.

Mr Morris added: “The amount of red tape that you have to go through to claim it’s just not worth it - it’s ridiculous.”

Resident Rebecca Aldridge-Beeston, who has lived on the road for five years, said: “National Grid have dug the road up several times over the last few years and each time it lasts at least six months and it is left like this while no work goes ahead.

“There are large groups of residents who are getting very distressed by the constant noise of screeching traffic, lights not working, car drivers losing their temper and just the shear mess.”

The Advertiser can reveal that the road works, part of an on-going project to replace old gas pipes with newer plastic ones, is scheduled to finish this Friday.

A spokesman from National Grid said that the project has been split into sections with the aim of minimising disruption for businesses and residents.

The current section, focusing on the Crabbs Cross area, started in August and is due to be completed this Friday, September 14.

She stressed that this is the last part of the project to be done and no further work should need to take place.

If you’ve been affected by the road works or are trying to get compensation, or to comment, visit facebook.com/theredditchadvertiser .