Retailers based on Regent Street in Shanklin are up in arms over a proposed 4-day road closure to facilitate gas works.
An advanced warning sign was put on display on Friday advising that the main shopping area will be closed to all traffic from Tuesday (30th April) for a total period of 4 days.
According to local businesses, there has been no consultation from SGN whatsoever despite the impact it will have on local footfall. The first time retailers and residents knew about the road closure was when the sign was placed at the top of the road.
Concerns have been raised that the road will be closed on some of the busiest days including Friday 3rd May, the start of a busy bank holiday weekend.
Questions are being asked as to why the work cannot be completed out of core hours – like many of the road resurfacing schemes in the area – or 24 hour working to complete the work as quickly as possible.
Retailers are to approach the Isle of Wight Council on Monday to ask for free parking in the area by means of suspending the charges in the nearby council car park. It’s hoped this will help retailers ride the wave.
Maldwyn Morgan from Glyn Morgan Newsagents, which trades on Regent Street, says:
“High Streets are struggling nationally and local shops need all the help we can get. This is really disappointing way of operating from a large company. Shanklin retailers will really suffer”.
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Andy Dyer from the clothing retailer sku says:
“It was disappointing there was no advanced notice. We will be asking IW Council to suspend car parking charges in Landguard Road car park from Tuesday to support us”.
I am the one who but the sign out and I am sorry to say that the work as got to be done and sgn will try there best to get the work done as soon as they can.
You don’t say when you put the sign up.
Standard corporate answer, though, with no justification for the long closure. What we have come to expect, really.
You might be better off signing your messages as being from the organisation you work for, otherwise people will think of you, instead of those who are really to blame.
I read the signs at least a week ago, so this is an old story.
There can be no excuse for taking four days over the job, though.