Firms in compensation call as delay-hit road reopens
SHOP owners have expressed relief that a delay-hit road is to finally be reopened.
But they are now looking for compensation for trade they said was lost while sewage works were ongoing
Queen’s Drive has been partly closed since May, last year, to allow an upgrade to the Shieldhall Tunnel by Scottish Water.
It should have taken a year but unforeseen problems delayed the work by four months, hitting business owners.
Michael Rogers, owner of Michael Rogers hairdressers on Victoria Road, said: “I wrote to Nicola Sturgeon for help and I handed in a petition to Anas Sarwar looking for help but I never received any response.
“It has been dire here while these works have been going on and no one at Scottish Water has wanted to listen.
“The project manager arranged to come into the shop to meet me but then didn’t turn up - even though he contacted me, not the other way round.
“Of course I’m happy that the road is reopening but we want compensation for lost business now.”
A stretch of Queen’s Drive and Langside Road has been closed for about 16 months to enable the construction of part of the Shieldhall Tunnel, which will connect to the new tunnel in the site in Queen’s Park.
Scottish Water bosses have now announced the road will reopen on Friday, September 22.
The £100million Shieldhall Tunnel, which will run from Craigton to Queen’s Park, is part of Scottish Water’s £250m, five-year programme of work, launched in 2013, to improve river water quality and the natural environment and tackle flooding.
Mark Maclaren, Scottish Water’s community manager for the project, said: “We did everything we could to minimise any inconvenience to road users, local residents and businesses and can assure them that any traffic disruption experienced will be far outweighed by the long-term benefits our investment will deliver.
“Our work in part of Queen’s Park itself will continue but we no longer require the road to be closed.”
But Helen Martin, 55, owner of Elen’s Alterations on Victoria Road, said she had no choice but to shut her shop La Chique Boutique on Victoria Road due to a lack of business.
Helen said: “We don’t feel confident that the road will open when they say it will. They’ve given us so many dates now that we’re not holding our breath.
“When it does reopen, the damage has already been done. We’ve been told that they’re going to start work on a cycle lane next week so that’ll be another thing.
“I think we deserve compensation but we’ve already been told we’re not getting it. I’ve already lost one business.
“I just hope we can get back to normal when the road is reopened.”
Bus operator First Glasgow confirmed it is to resume normal services and, to thank customers for their patience, it is offering a 30 per cent discount on weekly travel.
While the Scottish Water works were outwith First Glasgow’s control, the operator said it was keen to raise awareness that services are returning to normal. With the reopening scheduled for September 22, services 4, 4A, 5, 6, and N6 will no longer be subject to diversion.
First Glasgow Managing Director Andrew Jarvis said: “We hope the reopening and our ticket offer will encourage even more people to travel with First Glasgow.”
Local councillor Soryia Siddique added: “Residents and businesses have raised their ongoing concerns about the delays and I have also been contacted by constituents who have requested flexibility on a First Bus route.
“I will be continuing dialogue regarding both these issues.”