Roadworks causing trade to drop, shops say

Gas pipe upgrades in Redruth, Cornwall, began on 7 October

Shop owners have complained of a decline in footfall due to roadworks caused by gas pipe upgrades in Cornwall.

Rolling road closures have been in place at the junctions of Chapel Street, West End, Fore Street and Penryn Street in Redruth since 7 October.

Businesses near the road closure at West End agreed the works were necessary but felt they should have taken place after Christmas.

Wales and West Utilities said it had sent newsletters to all the affected homes and businesses and held drop-in sessions before carrying out the work.

'Poor communication'

Sarah Sullivan, from the Red Potter Cafe and Gallery, said she was not impressed by the roadworks.

"Since it started, the footfall has been next to nothing in town," she said.

"It is necessary, but I do not feel like we were consulted enough, and the communication was very poor.

"We were pushing for the works to take place in January, but the decision was already made."

Annelie Wood, from Craft Collection, agreed the works should have been postponed until January 2025.

"The noise is quite disruptive. I am used to it being quiet, nice, and calm," she said.

"There has definitely been a slower stream of customers than we are used to."

Guy Hoy, from Idle of Bookshop, said there was "never a good time" for the works but believed the town was "better off having it done now".

Compensation offered

Wales and West Utilities said: "We appreciate that while we work hard to keep disruption to a minimum, our work can impact on local businesses.

"Our customer service team has gone to local homes and businesses along the route to talk to them individually about the project."

It said any local traders who felt their business has been affected by the works could apply for compensation.

Cornwall Council said it received more than 40,000 requests a year, about 150 requests a day during working weeks, from companies wanting to work on council-owned roads.

This was to access pipes and cables running under streets, plus to carry out work on street surfaces, the council said.

It said: "Under law, the council cannot refuse consent to a statutory undertaker (such as a utility company) to dig up the road."

Wales and West Utilities previously said, barring any engineering difficulties, it would complete the current works during December.

It said operations would then move to the West End, Blowinghouse Hill, Church Lane and Hosking Row in January 2025.