Gas works didn’t need to be done during peak trade (From Worcester News)

Gas works didn’t need to be done during peak trade

8:00am Saturday 4th July 2009 in

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INDEPENDENT traders in a historic Worcester street are asking why gas works had to be carried out during the height of the summer.

Business owners in New Street in the city centre have said they understand roadworks are necessary but are questioning why three months of mains replacements are happening during their peak business period.

Katherine Bujanszki of Beautiful Flowers, Nancy Robinson of eaterie Phat Nancy’s and Sara Learoyd of sandwich bar Scoffs in New Street are all concerned about the effects on their trade.

They would prefer the work was in January.

National Grid, who are carrying out the works, set the timing with Worcestershire County Council, which looks after the county’s roads.

The county council said changing the old pipes could not easily have been carried out during the winter because demand for gas was so much higher than the summer.

Mrs Bujanszki said although traders had been told of the works by letter, the noise and dust had caused disruption when workers arrived on Monday and business had suffered.

“We’re not just whinging for the sake of it. My trade from Monday is down half,” she said.

“I just think it would have been better in the winter months when trade is slower. I’ve had to convince customers to come and collect their flowers because its a hassle for them.”

Miss Learoyd said the gas company had given them plenty of warning but the reality of the disruptions had her worried.

“I open until late and we get a lot of drunk people in this street at night,” she said. “I’m worried we’ll have some of the barriers through our windows.”

Next door to Scoffs, Nancy Robinson’s business – formerly known as Panninis – unveiled a rebrand on the day the works started.

“We were told the works would start at Church Street and work up towards us so I thought we would be ok to launch,” she said.

“But apparently the holes will be dug outside our shop for the duration.”

A spokeswoman for National Grid said contractors were working 7.30am until 6pm weekdays, and 8am until 4pm on weekends to make sure the work was completed.

“Completing the works now avoids the winter fair and maximises working time with the summer light,” she said.

She said workers would revisit the barriers and fencing to make sure the site was secure.

A county council spokesman said with gas demand lower in the summer, the essential works were actually causing less disruption. “In the winter, workers would have to replace the pipe by digging a trench the length of New Street, causing massive disruption,” he explained.

“As it is, small holes have been dug at different points along the street allowing pedestrians to get to shops.”

Traders affected by roadworks can apply for special business rates relief by calling the Government’s valuations office in Whittington Road on 01905 687600.