Traffic delays in St Lawrence worry local businesses

Wednesday 22 June 2016

Businesses in St Lawrence say they rely on passing trade and are worried that having the road dug up for 10 weeks this summer will affect their livelihoods.

The drilling is due to start just after the schools break up next month on a big stretch of La Grande Route de Saint-Laurent from Mont Cambrai to La Ruelle, just past Three Oaks, but might not be finished until after the schools go back in September and that's a long stretch for those who run the pub, the shop, the B&B, the petrol station and the antiques shop, to be short on customers.

The Department for Infrastructure say the road will be closed in sections, probably from 9.15 am until 6 pm on weekdays but the times may change and the diversions haven't been confirmed yet either and local traders say they're worried about the effect the works will have on them.

Neil Cotillard who runs Three Oaks Garage said: "There’s going to be ten weeks of massive losses and we've seen the effect on other businesses during roadworks - Le Shop in Trinity nearly went bankrupt! My argument is why can’t they close one side of the road at a time? But apparently that’s not feasible, that’s not cost effective and they won’t do it at night because it’s not a major road.

"But we want people to know we're not going to be closed for business."

Victoria Barrett who owns and runs the Village Bed & Breakfast and is also involved with the Saint Laurent Public House and Noshery said the roadworks are being done at the worst possible time of the year for hers and the other businesses along this route.

She said: "The roadworks need to be done but the timing is a bit of a concern for me. My B&B's gate opens right on to the road and I might have to bring guests in through the side door past the rubbish bins, which isn't ideal.

"I'm also involved in the pub as well and that's of great concern. We need people to have access to the pub, the shop, the B&B, the petrol station, the antiques shop, the church and all the Parish facilities to survive. 10 weeks without income is worrisome.

"We've got a fabulous new car park but we're going to struggle with access. Another big concern is the bus service. We attract a lot of walkers and cyclists and we have been told that there will be shuttle vans to run people up and down, but to what timetable and frequency?

"It's all happening at the worst possible time of the year for me. It's going to be inconvenient but i'm resigned to it happening. Having accurate information to communicate with local customers and visitors would be very helpful."

DFI Highway Maintenance Manager Andy Downie said the department is in talks with the tendering contractors to try and cut down on the length of the job so that it's all finished before the schools go back in September but said they'd consider extending it during term time if they have the budget and can sort out the traffic.

The department is also in talks with LibertyBus to try and maintain the bus service and say shuttle buses are a possibility.

The roadworks are due to start on Monday 18 July.