BUSINESSES in Llandrindod Wells say they are losing as much as 60 per cent of turnover while the town’s gas supply is fixed.
Wales & West Utilities began work in the Tremont Road area of Llandrindod in early September, with disruption to local homes and businesses originally set to last until October 21.
The utilities company has revealed this phase of the work is now set to be complete by next Friday, October 18, but the disruption has angered local businesses – who revealed they were given no warning of the ensuing chaos.
“It’s had a big impact on all our lives,” said Mike Hodges of Hodges, the newsagents, grocers and post office.
“We’ve suffered a 60 per cent drop in turnover during the seven weeks of the road closure being in place.”
To plan the work, the gas emergency and pipeline service liaised with Powys County Council, with a road closure in place on Brookland Road, between the junctions of Tremont Road and Waterloo Road, with the Network Rail level crossing open to pedestrians only.
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“The biggest problem was no-one told us, or the other businesses, that they were coming,” added Mike.
“They turned up on September 9 and put up the traffic lights; that was quite a shock.
“We don’t have gas here and neither does the hairdressers next door so that’s why they didn’t tell us.
“People living on Brookland Road thought the pipe was going down there because they all had notices their road was going to shut, but unbeknown to us it was our road.”
Mike has been left further frustrated as he and wife Margaret are in the midst of selling the shop and retiring.
“It’s sad that at the end of my grocer’s life I couldn’t have a more happy experience for the last few months,” said Mike, who even had to act as lollipop lady this past Monday, when the lights totally failed.
“I was moving traffic for around four hours,” he added. “Traffic was queueing at one point back to the Auto Palace.”
Across the road, Bal Kaur, of the Quality Fish Bar, says the roadworks and ensuing confusion has “killed” his lunchtime trade.
“Business has been down, about 5-10 per cent probably,” he said.
“It’s sad because lunch times have been dead and usually we’re nicely busy. I had nothing from them telling me the work was being done or the road was being closed.”
“We didn’t have a sign originally letting people know we were still open, so we lost a lot of passing trade,” he added.
“They did then put one in when I called to complain. I have also been told that when they come back to finish the work later it will be further up the road so we won’t be affected.”
Wales & West says the work is essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses, but local business owners have been left to bear the brunt of seven costly weeks.
Christian Prynne, of Crossing Garage, adjacent to Hodges, was also angered by the lack of warning. “We had no correspondence from them,” he said.
“I saw them one morning digging a trench and that’s when I found out.”
Adam Smith, Wales & West’s programme controller for Llandrindod, said: “This investment is essential to keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.
“We originally expected to complete our work on October 21. However, due to unforeseen demands across our network, our team will need to pause the work and return early next year to install the final section of the new gas main.
“This will mean that the road will reopen earlier than planned, by October 18. Furthermore, thanks to the work we have already done, our team will be able to complete the work in the new year without closing any roads.”
Mr Smith said local residents had been informed of the works, and advised businesses that they can apply for compensation if they feel they have lost money, under the Gas (Street Works) Compensation for Small Businesses Regulations 1996.
Businesses can contact the Wales & West customer services team on freephone 0800 912 2999 or email enquiries@wwwutilities.co.uk.
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