Roadworks leaving businesses 'dead'

Jackie Clarke has run Allium Florists in Normanby for 19 years

Business owners say roadworks which have been going on for over a month have had a "shocking" impact on their trade.

Temporary traffic lights and diversion routes have been in place for five weeks as part of a £350,000 scheme at a busy junction in Normanby, near Middlesbrough.

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said the works are essential to improve journey times and road safety.

But MP Jacob Young said Normanby has become gridlocked as a result, with store owners claiming the area has been "absolutely dead".

Jackie Clarke runs Allium Florists on Cleveland Street, where access to High Street has been closed since roadworks began.

"People aren't parking up and coming in for flowers," she said.

"We've lost the walk-in trade and we are about £300 or £400 down a week.

"I have never known my business be down like this, it's shocking."

Ms Clarke is calling on the council to compensate those affected.

'Fell off the cliff'

Another business owner, who did not want to be named, said losses could not be claimed on insurance without paying significant premiums in advance.

"My shop is usually really busy and trade fell off the cliff face for a couple of weeks," they said.

"I know people who have businesses in central Normanby which are absolutely dead, and I feel very sorry for them."

Mr Young, the MP for Redcar, raised the issue in Parliament recently.

He said: "This is having a huge impact on businesses.

“It is obviously important that when local authorities are planning major roadworks like this they give serious consideration to the damage they can do to local businesses.”

A council spokesman asked motorists to "remain patient" during the roadworks and warned it is illegal to remove barriers.

He added: "This is essential work designed to improve journey times and road safety.

“It involves installing new traffic signals, reconstructing the carriageway and widening the junction to facilitate motorists turning right from the High Street to Normanby Road.

“The work is on schedule with a completion date for 11 June."

A reporter from the Local Democracy Reporting Service visited the area and found significant congestion.

Local residents said tyre marks on nearby grass verges had been caused by motorists mounting the kerb to evade the roadworks.