Traders face uncertain future due to roadworks

Sarah Turner fears her business could disappear if the roadworks continue

Bromsgrove traders say "nightmare" roadworks on the town's High Street have put their businesses in jeopardy.

The six-month project began in April with the aim of improving the pavement and drainage, as well as installing new cycle parking and trees.

But cafe bosses claim to have experienced a major drop in footfall since construction started.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said the improvements would eventually "improve footfall and economic activity".

The spokesperson told the BBC: "Improvements of this kind, which have been carried out in a number of other town centres in Worcestershire, are shown to improve footfall and economic activity, although we recognise it can be inconvenient while they are taking place.

"In advance of the works, Worcestershire County Council’s contractors liaised with all businesses who are directly impacted and Bromsgrove District and Worcestershire County Council will continue to engage to try and assist wherever possible."

But Sarah Turner, owner of Mad Hatters Tea Room, said: "It has put a lot of people off, a lot of people are going elsewhere or just avoiding Bromsgrove altogether.

"It has been a nightmare, we have had the vans, the noise, the dust and the dirt.

"Our disabled customers are finding it quite difficult on their mobility scooters and generally with walking frames people have found it difficult to access the shop."

The drop in customers has also meant Ms Turner has had to cut staff hours.

She explained: "Obviously, they all have families too and I feel bad that I have to cut the hours down, it is hard.

"I have told the councillors if it carries on I will not have a business."

Business owner David Clifford said his takings had been down by a third since the roadworks began

David Clifford, manager of Cafe Morso, said it would have been "a lot easier" had the roadworks taken place in the winter.

"Through the summer we have increased footfall and people want to be out and about," he said.

"We have the opportunity to have people sitting outside, which they will not be doing with the dust and the drilling going on.

"Since the roadworks started, I think our takings have been down by a third."