Businesses hit by Telford sewer works
Businesses near essential sewer works in Telford to stop flooding and a bad smell claims trade has been hit by up to 50 per cent.
Work to lay “crucial” new underground drains at cost of £900,00 has started in part of Wellington Road, in Muxton.
But shopkeepers say they have already seen a dip in trade since the road closed last month and a diversion route was set up.
Now they are urging regular customers not to be put off by road closure signs in the area.
Wellington Road, is advertised as shut at its junction with the A4640 Donnington Wood Way and The Whitehouse Hotel, but motorists have access for the time being.
Proprietor of Muxton News, Baldev Cheema, said: “People have been using other routes through the area and that is affecting us as we rely on passing trade. We’ve seen 50 per cent of our business lost as a result. We know the work has to be done, but at this rate we might not last until the end. Any compensation that may be available might be too late for us.”
“I have been here for 10 years and I have never seen trade get so bad. When the road closure was announced I did think that we might be in trouble. At the end of the day my rent still has to be paid.”
Drop
While neighbour Simon Savva, of Fish & Chips Bros, said sales have seen a 10 per cent dip since the preparation work began.
Mr Savva said: “We’ve not been as badly affected as the newsagents, but we’ve definitely seen a drop in business. We understand that the work has to be done and to be fair to the water company, the workmen have been very good.”
“We want the residents to realise that traffic can still get up Wellington Road from Lilleshall. We’re don’t know why the closure signs have been installed at this point in time because motorists can still go along the road.”
The work is being carried out by Severn Trent Water to lay new drains on land between Wellington Road and School Road, using a specialist underground drill following years of complaints of about bad smells.
Severn Trent Water spokeswoman Ria Gaffney said: “We’ve invested nearly £900,000 to install a new sewer which will help protect homes from flooding.
“We’re really sorry if this work causes any inconvenience, but this is a crucial project for Muxton which will see homes protected from flooding.”
