Helensburgh Advertiser | News | Retailers' fears over road closure

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 16th October, 2008 09:30

Retailers' fears over road closure

By Fiona Howard

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ACCESS: Councillor Al Reay and Alan Reid MP at the site of the works.

EAST Clyde Street in Helensburgh will be closed from Monday between Henry Bell Street and Maitland Street ...but there will be access to businesses.

The through route will involve a detour for drivers but people tryng to reach premises and business along the closed stretch of road will have access Scottish water will be making that clear with apprpriate signs at each end of the closure.

Scottish Water requested a Traffic Order permitting them to close part of East Clyde Street for over three months from October until next January. Council officials have granted this traffic order.

Scottish Water spokesperson said: "As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our service to customers, Scottish Water has a long term programme for upgrading the sewer network and delivering improvements to the Helensburgh Waterbody. This essential work will improve the water quality in the area.

"From Monday October 20 East Clyde Street will be closed to traffic for a three month period. We have liaised with Argyll and Bute Council, the local community and businesses in the area to advise them of this necessary road closure. We will be putting in place signs confirming that all businesses in the area will remain open for business as usual throughout the road closure.

"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience while we carry out this essential work."

Alan Reid MP and Liberal Democrat Councillors, Al Reay, Ellen Morton and Andrew Nisbet, have been working to persuade Scottish Water to reduce the impact of their work on the business in the affected part of East Clyde Street.

Following their intervention, a site meeting was arranged for Tuesday 14 October between Scottish Water and the affected businesses.

Alan Reid MP and Helensburgh Central Councillor Al Reay visited the affected shops on Saturday to talk to the shopkeepers.

The shopkeepers reported a considerable drop in sales since the road works began. They are concerned that the impression has been given that all the businesses in this part of East Clyde Street are closed.

Alan Reid MP and the Liberal Democrat Councillors are calling on Scottish Water to take the following actions

* Pay for notices in the press and beside the Road Closed signs. These notices should say that all the shops are open for business.

* Carry out the work as quickly as possible and to close the road for the shortest time possible.

* Liaise with the local businesses so that delivery vehicles can get access when needed.

* The road to be open in the run-up to Christmas

* Scottish Water to produce a weekly progress and planned works bulletin for distribution to all affected shops/businesses

After talking to the shopkeepers, Alan Reid MP said: "The work that Scottish Water are carrying out is essential, but it must be carried out as quickly as possible and with as little disruption as possible to the affected shops. We don’t want a repeat of what happened in West Clyde Street when Scottish Water were working there."

Councillor Al Reay said: "These works are essential but every effort should be made to minimise the effect on local shops and businesses and Scottish Water is urged to do all it can to help achieve this."

Councillor Andrew Nisbet said: "Engineering works like these have to be done, but they must not be allowed to wreck local businesses. Scottish Water need to keep closely in touch with the traders and residents to minimise the problems these works cause."

Councillor Ellen Morton said: "The businesses in East Clyde Street must be accessible for customers and delivery vans."

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