Confusing road closure of March High Street causes anger for traders
ANGRY traders have hit-out at the decision to close a part of March High Street for the next five weeks.
Misleading signs have caused confusion as motorists are unsure whether they can actually enter the stretch of road between Burrowmoor Road and Upwell Road where work began today.
A sign states ‘Business open as usual’ but ‘road closed’ and ‘diversion’ signs are causing many to believe they can’t access the countless businesses which have already felt the effect.
Dr Nick Valley of Amical Vetinary Centre said: “We’ve lost trade already because of the road closure and if it stays like this for five weeks we’re in serious danger of going bankrupt.
“The signs are so misleading. I’ve had people cancelling today as they’ve said they can’t get to the centre because the road is closed.
“Many customers need to drive to the centre and if it stays like this I could be losing �2,000 to �3,000 a day which in the recession is crippling.
“The road is closed today and no works are being done which makes it worse.”
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Rob Skoulding, manager of The Oliver Cromwell Hotel described the closure as a “shambles”.
He said: “We had eight phone calls between 8-8.30am this morning from people saying they can’t get to us.
“We saw the sign about a week ago but never got a letter or anything. It’s been a shambles.
“I’ve been ringing people and have been promised something will get sorted but nothing has been done yet.
Kim Pepper of Long’s of March, a domestic appliance store, is just thankful her business has a back entrance which can still be accessed.
She said: “I suppose you have to deal with it the best you can and we’re lucky as we have a back entrance but some down this road are dependent on passing trade.
“I just don’t understand why the work is being done now when the children are about to go back to school. The volume of traffic is much less during the six-week school’s holiday.”
