A41 closure: Business counts the cost after house torn to the ground after lorry crash
A two-week road closure ended with more than just a building being brought to the ground after it caused disruption for drivers and a drop in trade at local businesses.
The demolition work at Fox House, Shakeford, left the A41 closed for two weeks between Tern Hill and Newport.
While the road has now been re-opened, some businesses are reporting a drop in trade following the closure.
Shropshire Lavender, of Wellbank Farm, Pickstock near Newport, says it has lost about £1,000 in sales over the two weeks.
The firm's Robin Spencer said many customers struggled to get to the premises after a road was blocked off when a diversion route was set up between Tern Hill and Hinstock.
"Shropshire Lavender has certainly lost business as customers were ringing to tell us they cannot work out how to get to us and July to August is the busiest period for visitors to the lavender fields. People were turning around and going back home," he said.
"If the road has to be closed that's fine, but the authorities should give drivers the correct options. We have lost between £500 and £1,000. I am sure that many other local businesses up the A41 were also losing trade.
"We are not pleased at all with how this was organised. It is all so unnecessary as all the council needed to do was provide a roundabout of cones or some other simple solution. It's not rocket science."
The demolition work has now been completed on Fox House, which was hit by a lorry on July 26.
At the weekend, Shropshire Council confirmed that motorists could use the stretch of road from 2pm on Sunday after work to demolish the house was completed early.
However, yesterday morning some motorists were left confused as signs saying the road remained closed were still in place on the M54 and A41. The site was also cordoned off with barriers and danger signs.
Initial attempts to save the building by taking it apart brick by brick started on August 2, which would have seen the road shut until mid-August. But by August 4 it was agreed that the property should be demolished immediately as it posed a serious risk to workers and members of the public.
Several residents claimed the road closure signs caused chaos.
