GMRT (Gas Main Repair Topic) >> Gas Main Repair Has Retailers Unhappy (UK)

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News from Saffron Walden Thursday, February 17, 2000

RETAILERS' SET TO CLAIM OVER LOSSES

EAST Street, Saffron Walden, is due to re-open again tomorrow morning after major repair work to gas mains.

The contractor, Transco, expects to complete the work by the end of this month at the latest.

Retailers have vowed to launch a claim for compensation from both Transco and Essex County Council's highways department, claiming the road closure has resulted in major loss of trade.

"We are no longer a soft touch, we will stand up for our rights," said Clive Porter, chairman of the Retailers' Association.

The closure of East Street on January 17 caused traffic chaos and led to broadcasts on local radio stations warning people to avoid the town centre during peak periods.

"We now want messages broadcast telling people it is safe to come back to the town," said Mr Porter.

"The last three to four weeks have been dreadful for our members; even many of the market traders are not coming any more. Tuesday market day this week was the worst we have ever known."

Ken Mark, chairman of the Chamber of Trade, said he would be contacting Uttlesford District Council's finance department to seek a reduction in the business rate.

"Our members overall have had average losses of around 10 per cent," he said, "and we were not helped by those radio broadcasts."

Bill Rose, divisional transport manager for Essex Highways, said work would take place in the early hours tomorrow morning to re-open East Street and install traffic lights on the mini-roundabout at Hill Street.

From tomorrow both Fairycroft Road and New Road will revert to one-way operating but the section of Common Hill from the car park to the roundabout will be one-way up the hill only. Hollyhock Road will remain closed until the end of the month.

Mr Rose added that he expected the work to be completed by February 27.

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 17, 2000


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