Hairdresser’s anger at road access issues

A SILEBY hairdresser has hit out at Leicestershire County Council after vehicle access to her road was closed despite assurances it wouldn’t be.

Caroline Jones said she had been given no official notification that Mill Lane would be closed from its junction with Mountsorrel Lane for up to five days from Monday (January 20) and when she did find out contacted the county council who said that access would be maintained.

But on Monday she discovered the road had been dug up for carriageway drainage works and workmen told her that it would be inaccessible until at least Wednesday.

It meant Caroline, who runs CJs Mobile Hairdressing, couldn’t get out in her car to clients who she booked in for Monday appointments.

“It means that shops and residents in Mill Lane can’t get their vehicles out and I’ve now got customers I can’t look after. If the county council had explained that there wouldn’t be vehicle access I could have had a week off and rearranged customer appointments but I was assured that there wouldn’t be a problem.

“Now I have had to contact customers and try to rearrange appointments for another time which is an inconvenience for everyone.

“Surely it must be illegal for there to be no access at all. What if the emergency services were needed?”

A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: “We are aware of the concerns residents and businesses have with regards to work being carried out to repair an underground drainage pipe in Mill Lane, Sileby.

“The road is temporarily closed until Friday, January 24, though businesses and residents are able to gain access. When our crews are not on site residents and businesses can freely access their properties.

“We will endeavour to ensure the work is completed as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience caused during these works.”