Traders: 'Decision could cost us our businesses'

Published 28 Oct 2009 17:22 2 Comments

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FURIOUS shopkeepers were left rattled last week by the council's decision to start roadworks on their street - just weeks before Christmas.

Bungling East Renfrewshire Council bosses told Cross Arthurlie Street businesses of their plans just three weeks before the improvements were due to begin leaving shopkeepers raging they were never consulted.

And as the roadworks were to be carried out over Christmas - the busiest time of year for retailers - many shops feared they would be so severely affected they would be forced to close.

But council chiefs performed a U-turn and changed their minds on Monday afternoon after horrified traders on the street contacted Barrhead councillor Danny Devlin who helped them lobby the council to postpone the roadworks until January next year.

Alpino chippy owner Eric Santi, 56, was happy the council has delayed the roadworks and people power has won the day but is still disappointed the council never consulted with them and the road works will eventually take months to complete.

The dad-of-four said: "90 per cent of the shops I have spoken to were up in arms over this. I have spoken to them personally and they can't believe there has been no consultation and they were going to do it a month or two before Christmas.

"I still think the majority of businesses won't be happy that the work is even going ahead.

"Councillor Devlin said the council will try and make the road works more trader friendly but at the moment the date for starting them has been moved.

He said: "Until we know what is happening in January, I am not happy that the council will be carrying out work over such a long period."

James Ward, manager of Coffee House, said the decision could have sounded the death knell for businesses in the street.

He said: "We take a long time to build up our trade and then the council can take it all away by doing things like this.

"January is a dead month and you make allowances for that but what we were looking at was having road works throughout the lead up to Christmas.

"There has been no consultation from anyone, the council is saying it is for the greater good of the area but giving three weeks notice is just nonsense, business is hard enough as it is."

Bluestone Design owner, Jeanette Park-Patterson added: "I am really keen for the street to be improved but the only thing I have a dispute with is the timing. What I have been told is that if they don't finish it by March the money will be withdrawn."

A council spokesman told the News a decision was made on Monday afternoon to start the work in January.

He said: "Our roads staff went out and consulted with traders, listened to them, took on board what they said, and have now decided to postpone the work until after New Year.

"This means that there will be no disruption to Christmas trade and we will have more time to come back with an amended scheme to improve on our original suggestions of how to minimise disruption by doing work in phases with traffic light controls.

"The scheme involves resurfacing the worn-out carriageway and relaying pavements and the end result will greatly improve the street, and although that inevitably means disruption, we are keen to work with traders and the community to minimise that as far as we can."

This article appeared in Barrhead News 28 Oct 09

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pete
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Jan 18, 08:37
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Yeah right...cost you your businesses...you overcharge us for years and think we believe that,most of you could afford to re pave the street many times over and you know it.What about peoples safety?Its better they fall on bad pavements bringing cash to you,just as long as they keep bringing all that lovely money to you.Cept maybe the coffee shop guy,you may need to expand and sell matches as well or something,you I am worried about.Good luck genius.

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nathan
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Jan 18, 08:42
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Ok danny devlin.Good to see you kissing up to the moneymen as usual,what about the peoples right to walk without an accident,dont put our funding at risk for safer sidewalks.Serve the people and finally learn something favour man.

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