Railway work puts business in jeopardy

APerthshire business owner says she may need to pay off staff due to the impact of work on a nearby level crossing.

Cara Mackay is the second generation of her family to run Gillies & Mackay, a shed-building business in Errol.

Network Rail plan to start drainage work at a level crossing near Cara’s store on Saturday, the day the business normally runs its annual sale.

And Cara fears the work and its impact on traffic could have major consequences for her business.

The level crossing, one of the few in Scotland still manually operated, will be closed from 4am on Saturday and reopen at 10am on Sunday.

Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Glasgow and Dundee.

Cara says road signs for the work near the A90 will turn potential customers away by appearing to show businesses are closed.

She says it is vital the sale day is a success to see her through Christmas and is calling for the date of the work to be moved.

The work is routine and the level crossing is shut periodically, something Cara accepts.

In previous years she has put her own signs out but believes drivers are more likely to obey official signs.

Cara, who lives in Dundee, said: “They (the signs) make it look like the road is completely closed with nothing to say the businesses are open. Customers need to know we are still operating.

“Having the road closed on sale day is really frustrating for us. It’ll put people off wanting to come this way. It’s on the same day as our sale which only takes place one day a year.

“We hold it so we can survive through the Christmas shutdown – to help us pay everyone’s holiday pay and wages through the festive period.

“It’s the most important weekend of the business year and it’s crucial it’s a success, and it’s not just me – other businesses nearby are going to be affected too.

“We are all nowhere near the level crossing and are still fully accessible.”

She says that if the sale is not successful, the worstcase scenario could see her needing to lay off some of her 20 staff.

She has called for the date to be changed and asks to be consulted in the future on when the work will take place.

The 34-year-old mum-oftwo said: “Network Rail and the council make no consideration for local businesses.

“I feel like there should be consideration for businesses and we should be consulted.

“We’ve no idea how bad the impact will be until the day – but we want it sorted by then.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The drainage work we’re completing at Errol level crossing is essential to keeping the network safe and reliable.”

WORRIES: Cara Mackay, owner of Gillies & Mackay. Picture by Steve Macdougall.