Latest road closure 'kick in teeth' for traders

Marcus Pearcey said the second road closure could have a "devastating impact" on his village business

Businesses have called a decision to close two road junctions in the lead up to the busy Christmas period a "kick in the teeth".

Work to upgrade the A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham, in Norfolk, has already seen its junction with Yarmouth Road closed, but now the opposite end of the main road through Blofield will shut in November for roadworks too.

"Once it's open it's going to be a different story - it's just how long can we suffer," said Jordan Holmes, from Norwich Camping and Leisure, in Blofield's Yarmouth Road.

Norfolk County Council said the works were "essential to deliver long-term improvements for everyone using this route".

The ongoing work at Blofield is part of a £300m package to improve the A47 through Norfolk

National Highways' work to dual the A47 carriageways between Blofield and North Burlingham, near Acle, has been ongoing.

It has involved closing the turn-off to Yarmouth Road at Blofield in order to create safety improvements at the junction, with a dedicated lane being added to join the A47.

But business owners at a complex on Yarmouth Road said they were concerned how Norfolk County Council's plans to close the street for a month, from the Cucumber Lane junction at the opposite end, would further disrupt trade.

Mr Holmes told BBC Radio Norfolk his family business, incorporating a garden centre, worked hard to attract visitors all-year round.

"We invest a lot of money in the Christmas department we've got - it's just a bit of a kick in the teeth to not have the footfall we were hoping for," he said.

"You just want them to work together - you don't need to block off both ends of the village."

He added he was worried how villagers would cope with the upheaval too.

Jordan Holmes, from Norwich Camping and Leisure, said news of more roadworks was a "kick in the teeth"

Entrepreneur Marcus Pearcey, who runs a farm shop and cafe based on the same complex, said he thought his trade could dip by up to 40%.

"It's really painful because it's Christmas," he said.

"We're already suffering as a business from one side of the road being shut - everyone's been very tolerant of that as we know there's major works going on.

"But to kill us at Christmas with all the other issues going on around small businesses - is just such a devastating impact.

"I don't think it's a crazy idea to wait for this road that's blocked to reopen, which we've been told should be in a relatively short period."

'Essential'

Norfolk County Council said Yarmouth Road would be closed from 10 November to 11 December and a "clearly signed diversion" would be put in place from Cucumber Lane.

A spokeswoman added more signs would also confirm the businesses were open.

In a statement, the council said the "essential" improvements included "widening the road, enlarging the traffic island and resurfacing the carriageway to enhance safety and traffic flow".

"We are working closely with our contractor to keep disruption to a minimum and will publish a detailed public information notice next week," it said.

"While we appreciate that temporary inconvenience can be frustrating, these works are essential to deliver long-term improvements for everyone using this route."