More cable disruption in Bridgend
A HIGH street is going to be dug up so fibre-optic cables can be relaid – just four years after they were first installed.
Traders on Nolton Street in Bridgend have criticised telecommunications company Openreach for what they claim is an error that will end up costing them money.
A company spokesman has confirmed work will be carried out “to bury the fibre cables deeper”.
And although he added the work will not block access to any businesses, shop-owners are concerned.
They said they are finally reaping the benefits of disruptive, year-long regeneration work which left the street with wider pavements and 30-minute free parking bays.
During the £9m council-led project between 2013-14, traders said they were told utility companies would also undertake underground work to ensure there would be no non-emergency disruption in the future.
Paul Ore, co-owner of L&P Fancy Dress, said businesses only found out about the impending work after he approached workmen in high-visibility vests outside his shop.
Speaking about the fibre-optic cables, he said: “The bloke I spoke to admitted they are not deep enough.”
Paul said traders are angry that they were not formally notified and that the work, expected to last three weeks, is being carried out during the busy summer period.
“I found out through the other traders,” said Shelley Punter, owner of Headworx hair salon.
She fears the parking bays might be put out of action during the roadworks: “A lot of my elderly clients come in by car.”
Her cousin Martin Punter, who owns the Gallery of Hair and Beauty, added: “I can’t believe we are going to have this disruption again.”
A spokesman for Openreach said: “The local authority is aware of the proposed works and confirmed that it will not block access entry to any businesses.”
A Bridgend council spokesman said: “The work is being completed during the school break for reasons of pupil safety. Many children and young people use Nolton Street to travel to local schools or Bridgend College, and it is a busy and popular route.
“To minimise inconvenience, the work will only take place on Sundays, and every effort will be made to ensure that parking bays along Nolton Street can still be used.”