Fears for 'tricky' winter after summer road closure

Haddon Estate, which is behind the works, said it was carrying out essential tree felling on Alport Lane

Shopkeepers say they are bracing for a "tricky" winter as a six-week road closure had impacted footfall in their village over the summer holiday.

Alport Lane closed to traffic, cyclists and pedestrians on 28 July and only reopened earlier this week, meaning those travelling to Youlgreave in Derbyshire had to divert several miles.

Haddon Estate, which is behind the works, said it was carrying out essential tree felling on Alport Lane due to "advanced ash dieback".

But Paul Skinner, who owns Peak Feast cafe in the village, said "hospitality is on its posterior as it is", adding: "July and August is the time we make the money to keep us going through the dark winter months - but not this year."

He argued there could have been a partial closure instead to allow access in the evenings or a traffic light system.

"It's not just been people who are unable to get to us," he added. "But our suppliers haven't been able to get near either - the diversions would add an hour or two to their schedules.

"There have been some occasions where I've had to take an empty van, go and meet somebody, transfer a pallet of flour, take it back to base, and so on and so on. It's been a double-whammy in that respect.

"The reserves we build up over the summer won't be there this year. So it'll no doubt be an extremely tricky winter."

Amy Young says trade has taken a big hit this summer

Amy Young, who owns the post office and a store on the main road in the village, said: "We are significantly down on trade compared to other years.

"It's been the whole of the summer holidays. And just at the point when the weather has been fantastic. It's been so quiet.

"This is where we make our money to get us through the winter months and that's not been able to happen this year."

Kelly Tilson, who runs the Farmyard Inn, a pub in the village, said she had organised a family fun day and music festival in July but had to cancel at the last minute due to the closure.

"This has caused a serious impact on our business," she said.

"I myself do not get a wage but work off profit that my establishment makes, out of that money I have to pay my employees.

"I have been going into my savings that I set aside for tax bills."

In a statement, Haddon Estate said: "We fully appreciate the local community's patience whilst this essential work has been undertaken and apologise for any inconvenience caused."