Traders demand rebates for disruptive bridge work

Traders are calling for a council to refund their business rates for disruption caused by months of work to reinstall a road bridge.

In February a 650-tonne crane lifted Ross Bridge, which connects Penzance town centre to the harbour front, onto a 134ft (40m) barge to be taken to Falmouth for refurbishment.

One manager of a nearby pub said takings since the road closure had been down by "about 40%".

Cornwall Council said businesses were not entitled to compensation from highway maintenance activities and it had worked with those affected "to minimise disruption" during the "vital works".

Vanessa Thomas, who runs Mermaid Pleasure Trips and a tackle shop on the quay with her husband Adrian, said: "We've lost thousands and thousands of pounds, I think what they are doing to small businesses is cruel."

She said they had had endured two months of disruption before the temporary single-lane bridge had been installed over Easter for vehicles.

She said they were in turmoil again since the temporary bridge had been removed to allow for the re-installation of the refurbished bridge.

"The council is doing all this and is still wanting our rents and business rates despite months of not being able to work before and since the temporary bridge," she added.

She said a business rates refund would be a "goodwill gesture".

Dolphin Tavern manager Paris Bayley-Jones said: "The figures are down about 40% on last year which is staggering really."

He added a business rate refund "would be most welcome by all of us because of the sheer effect of the disruption on trade since the second week of January".

"There's not many times the area has looked this grey and desolate in the 18 years I've been here."

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: "Under highway legislation, businesses are not entitled to compensation for loss of passing trade resulting from highway maintenance activities."

They added the "complex project" had been subject to delays caused by weather but the refurbished bridge was due to be brought to the harbour this weekend with the aim of lifting it into place next week.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council contractor Cormac said the bridge refurbishment had been "essential to ensure the long-term safety" of the "critical harbour crossing".

They said pedestrian access would be reopened for the early May bank holiday weekend, before closing again on 5 May, and the aim was to reopen the road fully by 22 May.

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