Businesses left 'barricaded' in after roadworks went on nearly two months longer than planned

[dutchman]

New pipes were being installed by the waterpark



Businesses owners say they have been left feeling barricaded in by roadworks that overran by nearly two months.

Work started in August for the new heatline technology being installed in Coventry's new water park, but it has caused chaos for businesses.

Shop owners said they feel they've been barricaded in due to all the fencing put up and work being done on New Union Street.

Candice McCann, one of the owners of Nu Leaf Florist, told CoventryLive that they've lost custom because the front of the shop can't be seen by people going by.

Candice said: "There has been no way of getting to the whole run of businesses along here.

"By the splash pool, there's barely room to cross, the corner round there is a blind bend so it's unsafe to cross and drive round there.

"We are barricaded in from the front and what is annoying is we have repeatedly complained to the council, but we've just been ignored.

"We normally run a competition for the front display for Halloween, but again, the entries have been less this year due to nobody actually being able to see the front.

"I took pictures from the other side of the road, and you just can't see a thing.

"Out the front of our shop is just being used as storage, but it is leaving us barricaded in.

"When it first started we were told it would only be for a month or so, but this was back in August.

"We were promised it would all be removed this week, but who knows if it will be permanent or they will come back.

"Our flowers come fresh on a HGV for our deliveries, but they can't access the front or back of the shop.

"The other businesses up here have had the same problem."

Ayfer, who runs the café two doors down from the florist, said they've seen a drop in business.

She said: "First of all, customers like to sit outside, but they haven't been able to.

"There's a lot of dust, and all the noise puts them off.

"We've also been suffering with our deliveries.

"We have had to cut down on them from daily to a few times a week because the delivery driver cannot get parked.

"I hope this is it now as they clear up."

[rebbonk]

The excuse that there is an undocumented culvert which has caused delays doesn't cut the mustard for me.