Town's businesses 'suffering' due to roadworks

People living and working in a Devon town say roadworks on a main street have led to businesses suffering.

A road closure is in place on East Street in Okehampton, Devon, to allow Wales and West Utilities (WWU) to carry out a £300,000 project upgrading old metal gas pipes to plastic ones.

The gas company said the closure would remain until 20 February before it moved to Barton Road until 13 March, where the project would be completed.

Odd-job man Mike Bailey said: "I think businesses in town have suffered. The signs aren't very clever because they're saying 'road closed'... why not say 'there's diversions'." WWU said diversion routes were clearly signposted.

Dee Gill, managing director of business information point (BIP), said it had been a "really challenging time" for businesses in the town.

"January is a difficult trading period at the best of times," she said.

"The impact of such significant disruption to footfall and access to the town has inevitably had a really negative impact on a lot of our businesses."

Gill acknowledged the work "absolutely had to happen", adding "there is just never really a good time for this level of disruption".

She said the BID had been working to try to get the signage improved, to highlight the town remains open for business.

"We want people to still come and support local traders," she added.

Mark Turner, owner of Donalds Menswear, in Okehampton, said visitors were able to access the town, but said it was "difficult" due to the closure.

He said: "The worry is that if they choose to go somewhere else, how long will they take before coming back."

Turner said no signs were on display to state businesses were open.

Maxine Thornley, who works at a salon in the town, lives on one of the diversion routes.

She said she had received abuse from other drivers after she held up traffic while trying to put her grandchild in the car.

"When it's bin day, it's a nightmare for the whole town really," she added.

"Hopefully it will all be done soon and out the way."

WWU said it worked with Devon County Council ahead of the works to ensure people were aware of the projects.

"We know working on roads like these is not ideal, and we'd like to thank local people for their patience.

"The work really 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."

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