Telford garden centre faces 'catastrophic' drop in business over roadworks
The owner of a Telford garden centre says weeks of roadworks could have a "catastrophic" impact on his business.
Emergency roadworks have started on Castle Farm Way in Priorslee, after routine surfacing works revealed structural problems below the top of the road.
But business owners in the area say firms have not been properly supported during the build up to the works.
Telford & Wrekin Councils highways department will be holding a drop-in for residents and business owners to find out more about its plan for Castle Farm Way.
Officers will be at the Lakeside Garden Centre from 2pm until 6pm on Thursday, April 9.
Kevin Turley, of Lakeside Garden Centre, on Woodhouse Lane, off Castle Farm Way, said roadworks in the area had seen his sales declined 20 per cent during the last two months and the latest project, lasting six weeks, would cut into his peak selling period.
He said: "It is an absolute farce. We have got three key businesses in Priorslee, including Lakeside Garden Centre and it is having an impact on businesses and residents.
"I am not sure who is running the show but nobody is communicating to the businesses or helping people out, the management has been appalling.
"We have now been told the road will be shut for the next six weeks which will wipe out our year, people cannot get to us."
See also: Roadworks on 61 Telford streets in five-week £6 million project
The work means the road's southbound lane is closed from Limekiln Bank to Castle Farm Interchange. All traffic leaving side roads can join Castle Farm Way and head north. A diversion is in place for drivers who wish to travel south in Castle Farm Way.
The council said it had received complaints about noise, vibration and an unacceptably uneven road surface and had discovered last week the foundation of the road had failed and required full reconstruction.
Mr Turley added: "I understand work needs to be done but it has been very poorly managed and very poorly run and has not been organised very well to a point of supporting the businesses. Nobody has come from the council or highways team to have a word with us."
Angie Astley, from Telford & Wrekin Council's assistant director of neighbourhood and customer services, said: "We apologise for the inconvenience. We have worked with our contractors to agree a way of working which does not involve side roads being closed."
