Roadworks are ruining us, say businesses

Cafe owner Craig Beverley says he is working seven days a week to keep his business afloat

A Hull cafe owner has warned frequent road closures could drive him out of business.

Since April 2020, the city council said it had issued 17 road closure permits for the Wincolmlee area.

Craig Beverley, from Bankside Cafe, blamed the works for leaving him with "no passing trade".

Several utility companies have responded to the BBC's requests for comments, stating closures were necessary for essential works, such as replacing ageing pipes.

But Mr Beverley added: "I'm working seven days a week, 16 hours a day, just to keep the business afloat and it shouldn't be like that.

"Nobody uses it [Wincolmlee] as a cut-through."

His sister, Sarah McFarlane, who works at the cafe, said: "It's dead. Three or four months ago you wouldn't be able to get a table in here [during lunchtime].

"Our customers are on the other side of the road closure and only have 20 to 30 minutes for a break. They ring their orders through, but because of the road closures it takes them too long.

"We just have to grin and bear it until it (the road) reopens again."

The council said road closure permits had been issued to organisations including Northern Gas Networks (NGN), Northern Powergrid, Yorkshire Water, as well as its own teams.

Businessman Geoff Spence said roadworks and a bridge closure have led to an 80% drop in passing trade

The latest closure affects Wincolmlee between the junctions with Air Street and Bankside Park.

NGN said it was vital works were completed to "maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to local homes and businesses".

Geoff Spence, owner of Xsen Electrical Wholesalers, said the roadworks had left his business languishing in a "backwater".

The company has operated in Wincolmlee for more than 23 years, but Mr Spence said "things have never been this bad".

The latest round of works had compounded problems caused by the closure of Sculcoates Bridge in 2020.

Businesses that have lost money as a result of the work may be eligible for compensation, NGN said.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson added: "We have over 22.5km of Hull's clean water network earmarked for replacement over the next two years."

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