Bridgnorth bypass work: Stores say roadworks have hit trade badly
Businesses in Bridgnorth have taken a big hit since the bypass roadworks started – with stores saying trade is down by as much as 20 per cent.
The town’s park and ride service has also been ‘decimated’ as shoppers shun the town due to the disruption caused by the works, which are scheduled to last 20 weeks.
A series of 24-hour road closures have caused chaos in the town and four-way lights at the bottom of the bypass have caused delays in and around Low Town.
More closures are on the horizon, with the bypass set to be shut for 24 hours from 6am on October 25.
Now, the town's independent traders have expressed concerns over takings and a drop in footfall over the past weeks and months.
Tanners Wines in High Street has seen sales “plummet” due to the roadworks, which are being carried out by Shropshire Council.
Manager Mark Carter, said: “About 20 per cent of my takings are down. You can see the sales plummet from about two weeks ago.
“Footfall is down because people aren’t coming in because of the roadworks. I don’t think it helps when the TV came to the town urging people to stay away from Bridgnorth because it’s gridlocked.
“Morning and evening when it’s the rush hour it’s going to be quite bad but the rest of the day it’s usually fine.”
Meanwhile Reindeer Antiques and the Bridgnorth Cobbler agreed the roadworks had been having a negative affect on trade.
Owner of the latter, Craig Cheatham, said: “The roadworks definitely aren’t helping. It’s a nightmare getting into the town in the morning.
“It’s caused a dip in business.”
Meanwhile, the town’s park and ride service, which leaves Tasley Auction Yard to the bus stop opposite Sainsbury’s, has seen a 75 per cent decrease in use, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
Chairman Steve Robbins, added: “We can tell you from the park and ride that it has absolutely decimated it. I would say we were takings were down 75 per cent.
“The weekend after it was on the news we started at 9.30am and got one car between then and 10am. Usually there’s lots of cars coming.
“It really is a concern, I can see that traders are worried. We’re really lucky in the shops we’ve got in Bridgnorth.”
Shropshire Council says the long-term benefits of the bypass roadworks will outweigh the inconveniences.
The work on the A458 and the roundabout approaches between the A458/B4373 (Wenlock Road) junction and the Stourbridge Road roundabout remain and due to finish by 10 November.
Works to the safety barriers, street lighting and drainage over the entire site will continue until next month during midweek daytime hours.
