Shopkeepers counting cost of emergency road closure
A BUSY Nottinghamshire road had to close suddenly due to emergency electrical works.
Large sections of Vale Road, a busy route connecting Netherfield and Colwick, were dug up as well as pavements and verges so work could get under way at the site.
The work, at the junction with Balmoral Road, began last Wednesday and there was no access through Vale Road.
Jaswinder Kaur, owner of the Binning Stores Premier shop, said business had been affected.
She said: “It was an emergency, so obviously we were given no notice. I was told there were people in Sneinton without electricity which obviously needs to be sorted.
“On Tuesday, I was told it would be a few hours’ work, then by Thursday I was told the road had to be dug up.”
The work is located right outside the entrance to Jaswinder’s store, and blocks vehicle access, but also means pedestrians need to walk around some of the barriers.
There are signs at the end of Vale Road, near its junction with the A612 and further up Vale Road, to warn people about the closure.
But Jaswinder said people are still driving up and having to turn around.
“I had deliveries coming on Saturday which I explained to the workers, and luckily they were able to accommodate that and have helped keep pedestrian access to the front door,” she said.
“But they were digging right up to the pavement and the cars have had to move and park elsewhere.
“It is not very convenient obviously, and I have lost a lot of passing trade.
“Easter weekend is usually busy for us because other shops are closed, and we stay open.
“I already had my hours advertised otherwise I may have reduced them, but I didn’t want to let my customers down.”
Jaswinder believes another side effect to the closure happened when the shop’s shutters were graffitied on Saturday night.
“This is quite a busy road, many people cut through, there are buses all the time and people around,” she said.
Mrs Lomas, owner of Colwick Store further down Vale Road, said she had also felt the effects of the roadworks.
“It’s been closed nearly a week already and customers have been complaining about the inconvenience of the closure,” she said.
“We had no warning, and this is a busy bus route, and I have lost a lot of passing trade.
“The residents have also been struggling to understand exactly what is going on – there’s not been much communication with us.” Labour councillor for the Colwick ward of Gedling Borough Council, Meredith Lawrence, lives locally and said: “I believe some residents may have had letters, but I understand the shop has not been informed.
“We all understand a lot of the utilities underground here are old and need replacing. But it’s unfortunate that businesses have lost trade. “These hard-working shopkeepers have been open all throughout lockdown and may not get any compensation for this.” Western Power Distribution confirmed workers are currently carrying out a cable fault
It is not very convenient obviously, and I have lost a lot of passing trade
Jaswinder Kaur
repair.
A spokesperson said: “The fault is in a particularly bad location and the road has had to be closed for the safety of our staff and for road users.
“Residents locally received a letter from us apologising and informing them of the work.”
WPD hopes the road will be reopened by this evening, and work will continue on the pavement with the aim of reopening by Saturday evening.