Businesses “suffering great losses” due to Grantham roadworks

A business owner in Grantham has been left frustrated by a recent set of roadworks and believes it has caused losses to local trades in the area and is another example of the “council not informing businesses.”

A letter was sent by Lincolnshire County Council to local residents and businesses in the New Beacon Road area of Grantham, advising about work to repair the carriageway taking place for approximately seven days from Monday, October 22.

The letter states due to the nature of the work and to ensure safety of the workforce it would be necessary for New Beacon Road to be closed to through traffic so a diversion would be in place.

A business owner, who didn’t want to be named, told Lincolnshire Reporter they believed the road was due to be closed from the bus stop upwards, leaving from the roundabout to the shops before this open, but that hasn’t happened.

One local resident said he understood it to be that up to bus stop was meant to be open during the works.

Map showing the permission granted for section of roads that can be closed off (red – closed, blue – diversion routes).

They said: “They closed all of this road, even putting their unused work cars in the lay-by and closing the roundabout off with their lorry, which is also running from 7am-5pm every day and it is surely not good for the environment.

“All the trades in the parade are suffering great losses as on the plans it clearly states and shows the first 100 metres open, so it is another council not informing businesses.”

Reporters approached the county council about workers working right up the road meaning shops are allegedly losing trade, and the road being closed beyond where it was expected.

The roadworks are currently underway this week.

Executive Member for Highways Councillor Richard Davies said: “The plan that was provided to residents and businesses shows the area of road being resurfaced.

“Although this does not include the section between the bus stop and the roundabout, this part of the road does need to be closed while the work is carried out.

“If it was left open, vehicles entering would have no route out, and would have to perform a three-point turn to leave via the roundabout.

“As some of this area is needed for site vehicles, this would not be safe. We realise this will be having an impact on local businesses, and are working to get the project completed as soon as possible.

“We’ve carried out around £250,000 worth of resurfacing and patching in Grantham so far this year. Unfortunately, there will always be some short-term disruption with works of this nature, but it will be outweighed by the long-term benefits.”