Traders fear road closure could force them out of business
SHOPKEEPERS in Westbury Park who feared they could be forced out of business after part of their road was closed, say the situation has become “unbearable”.
One trader also claims that fumes from the “badly managed” roadworks are making his family ill.
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Traders Heidi Gordon, Graeme Robbins, Julie Brooks, John Guilfoyle, Mike Ogden and Robert Hamlin by the temporary traffic lights
Half of North View has been closed off to allow hoardings to be built out surrounding a building site, where a block of flats is being built by developers Simon James New Homes.
To keep traffic flowing along the road, which links Linden Road and Westbury Road, a set of two-way temporary traffic lights was put in place in January.
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But six months later local businesses have again raised concerns after noticing a drop in customers.
Graeme Robbins, who lives on the road with his wife Julie Brooks, who owns children’s clothes shop Roundabout, said the situation had got much worse.
“It’s been unbearable – absolutely horrendous,” he said. “It’s been the worst time of my life. There is constant traffic backed up 24 hours, seven days a week.
“My daughter, partner and I are all suffering with health problems due to the fumes because the ‘stop’ sign for the traffic lights is literally outside our front door. I’ve asked the council to move it but they refuse.
“I have taken lots of photographs of the traffic to show how it is badly managed.
“Cars are mounting the kerb and the butcher’s awning has been knocked into many times.”
Another trader saidthe large number of on-street parking spaces lost to allow traffic to pass through has badly affected trade.
Andy Gale, owner of Gales’ Butchers, said: “Having no parking spaces means that passing trade in Westbury no longer has a reason to stop. I’m annoyed that we haven’t been compensated by the council as I think it could have at least reduced our business rates.”
City council spokeswoman Kate Hartas said: “Once a developer has permission from the council to build a development, the council is obliged to support its progress.
“The council must allow for necessary lane closures to serve the development safely.
“The developer has discussed the continuing arrangements with the council, and has made the case to retain the lane closure and temporary traffic lights until September.
“This is to accommodate a hoist for materials.
“The council continues to liaise with traders over some of the problems caused by the arrangements.
“The council has recently had confirmation that the Local Government Ombudsman does not uphold Mr Robbins’ complaints.
“Sometimes the council has limited options to prevent congestion when temporary arrangements for development are in place.”
The developer, Simon James New Homes, was unavailable to comment.
Comments
by Alisondawn123
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 7:16PM
“I work locally and live locally and parking is a nightmare in the surrounding streets. NOt everyone walks to the shops. I think the shopkeepers would know if their business has been affected or not. People don't just come from the local area to these shops, they come from other areas too and have to drive to get here. The bus has also had to be rerouted so made life difficult for the many elderly in the area. Traffic is frequently backed up - maybe not 24/7, but certainly more than it used to be. There was no consultation over these lights - we were told after the event. Why should developers be allowed to cause such chaos?”
by mismanaged
Monday, June 25 2012, 6:37PM
“You need to understand that Bristol City Council and the local councillors dont give a damn about the citizens of Bristol. Developers can do just what they want and get away with murder. I understand the Ombudsman got completely the wrong information and would not change his/her mind when the error was pointed out by the persons involved. The reason for the hoardings is to allow a hoist to be used, a hoist which could quite easily be put on the end of the site thus enabling the road to be opened. Unfortunately in this area we have councillors who are completely useless. They are a bit like the three monkeys who see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing. We should all remember this when the next election comes along.”
by Tody123
Monday, June 25 2012, 5:50PM
“They do look lovely and sad faced, especially the chap in the stripy outfit .”
by Waybaloo
Monday, June 25 2012, 5:09PM
“Failed complaint to the Ombudsman, need to escalate this higher?
never fear, set BEP on them, that'ill learn em, they will be quaking in their boots by tomorrow.”
by Cider_Dog
Monday, June 25 2012, 4:43PM
“I felt compelled to comment on this story as I live 100 meters away use this road for my daily commute.
It is NOT backed up 24/7, in fact the delay is where it always is (onto the downs). There is NO delay as described above and as for local business's suffering that is complete rubbish as most local people walk to use the shops.
It's just another non-existent NIMBY story, its a very mild inconvenience at the worst.
Can't the BEP come up with some challenging, fresh and dynamic news reporting?”
by DockLobster
Monday, June 25 2012, 3:04PM
“" There is constant traffic backed up 24 hours, seven days a week."
I can confirm this statement to be untrue...”