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Traders fear roadworks will cost them thousands

Edward Sault
BBC South Today
BBC Nicole Jose is looking at the camera. She has a blue shirt and loaves of bread are sat on three shelves. BBC
Nicola Jose thinks the disruption could take 10 years to get over

Shopkeepers in the New Forest say they could lose thousands of pounds and fear some businesses will close because of eight weeks of roadworks.

A 25m-stretch (82ft) of Brookley Road in Brockenhurst will be closed from Tuesday 22 April.

Hampshire County Council is carrying out drainage works, installing a speed bump and extending the pavement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.

But some business owners say the closure comes at the start of a busy summer season and will fall over two lucrative bank holiday weekends.

David Chislett is stood in front of his pet shop and is wearing a blue jumper. He has grey stubble and short dark hair.
David Chislett owns Grovely Pets and questioned why a speed hump was needed

A petition calling for a delay until the autumn has reached 1,000 signatures.

Nicola Jose, who runs the Bakehouse Bakery, said the damage over the coming months "could take 10 years" to recover from.

"It's going to cost us at least £20,000. People get new routines, the passing trade, the builders. It's the recovery of getting these people back," she added.

David Chislett owns Grovely Pets and said traders had previously been told the work would be done out of holiday season.

"You just have to go outside and look at our pavements," he said.

"There are potholes everywhere and instead they're going to give us a speed hump in a place where the cars are doing 10 to 15mph down the road. Why do we need a speed hump?"

Richard Wolstenholme has a dark checked shirt. Soft toys are to his left and cards on his right. He has short white hair.
Richard Wolstenholme said the work would "cripple businesses" in Brockenhurst

Richard Wolstenholme runs the Pot Pourri Card and Gift Shop, also on Brookley Road.

"Everything was looking good from Easter onwards," he said.

"The weather is good as well. This is going to cripple businesses in the village."

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: "Access for pedestrians will remain at all times, and vehicles will continue to have limited access to the road from either end.

"We are always mindful of the potential impacts of roadworks in a busy area like this and we do all we can to help businesses to plan in advance, and to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.

"Whilst the work, and particularly the drainage element, needs to be undertaken during the drier months to be delivered effectively, the timing will avoid the busy Easter and school summer holiday periods."

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