Telford's garden centre trade hit by roads scheme
It was hailed as a vital scheme to regenerate the local economy in Telford, paving the way for thousands of jobs and homes.
But to staff at a garden centre it has had the opposite effect, decimating the number of visitors and bringing the area to a standstill.
Kevin Turley, of Lakeside Garden Centre in Priorslee, Telford, said the disruption caused by the alterations to Limekiln Bank roundabout, where the A5 meets Castle Farm Way and Redhill Way, had led to a big fall in visitors at one of the busiest times of the year.
"The traffic has just ground to a halt," said Mr Turley.
"A huge proportion of our business comes from the north side via the A5, but they are going to give up if they can't get through.
"On the first Tuesday after Easter, you would expect our car park to be at least half full, but it was empty.
"And this is what it is like with the kids are off school. I hate to think what it will be like when they go back.
"We were supposed to have a lad here on work experience, but he rang in and said he couldn't get into work."
Mr Turley said he was also concerned that the roadworks would cause delays to people attending the nearby cemetery.
"If there somebody got stuck in traffic and missed their slot, that would be terrible," he said.
The works, which started in February, are due to continue until July. It is the second spring in a row that the garden centre has been affected by roadworks. In April last year Mr Turley said takings fell by 25 per cent while resurfacing work took place in Castle Farm Way.
Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for communities, regeneration and transport, said the work was part of a £17 million Growth Point Package scheme, which included money from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, which had secured support from the Government's Local Growth Fund.
Six sites around Telford are earmarked for work under the scheme, which is expected to open up land allowing the building of 2,849 homes and creation of 4,844 jobs.
Another 245 jobs are expected to be safeguarded by the work.
Councillor McClements said: "These improvements are essential to provide capacity to cater for future growth and to ensure the council can continue to deliver new housing and create jobs. All efforts will be undertaken to minimise disruption and the council will seek to avoid full road closures where possible."
She said the work taking place at the moment was necessary to provide the new drainage system for the roundabout, and that four-way traffic lights would be needed for the next three weeks.
"We are working closely with the contractor to continue to oversee the traffic management arrangements and enhanced signing has been provided as part of this latest phase," said Councillor McClements.
"Unfortunately it is likely that motorists will experience delays during this period and we apologise for any disruption or inconvenience this will cause. The works have been planned during the Easter holidays during a period when traffic is typically lower in the morning and evening peaks."
