Retailers slam 12 week "nightmare" roadworks plan (From Thisisdorset)

Retailers slam 12 week "nightmare" roadworks plan

10:00am Friday 14th September 2012 in Latest

TRADERS are facing a “nightmare” 12-week spell of roadworks while a gas mains is replaced.

Southern Gas Networks is carrying out £460,000 of pipe replacement work in the Wallisdown area of Bournemouth and traffic will be disrupted during the project.

Businesses in Kinson Road face travel problems for their staff and customers while drivers who use the busy road each day are also being diverted.

The first phase of work will see Kinson Road closed northbound for three weeks and traders fear their passing trade will be affected after the project starts on Monday, September 24.

Julie Brennan, director at KB Pools and Spas, said the work will affect many of her customers visiting from the Poole area.

She said: “It will cause a total upheaval.

“Business is not easy as it is.”

Kate Holloway, manager at Pets Corner, said she had not received a letter from Southern Gas networks and is also worried about access for customers on the northbound side of the road.

“Our car park is on that side,” she said.

“It’s important because lots of people buy heavy items and we need the car park.”

And Gary Hall, owner of Bikeworkx UK, said the roadworks will be a ‘nightmare’.

He said: “It’s definitely come at the wrong time as it’s coming up to our busiest time of the year.”

The 12-week spell will see the existing metal gas mains under Kinson Road replaced with a modern plastic polyethylene pipe between Wallisdown Road and Cherford Road.

For the first three weeks Kinson Road will be shut northbound between Wallisdown Road and Canford Avenue.

Then for six weeks two-way traffic lights will be in place between Canford Avenue and Turbary Park Avenue.

Traffic plans have not yet been arranged for the final three weeks’ work between Turbary Park Avenue and Cherford Road.

Colin Horne, construction manager at Southern Gas Networks, apologised for any inconvenience.

He said: “We understand that people can get frustrated, however, the new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years.

“This means that when the work is complete people will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come.”

Disruption to be kept to a minimum

WALLISDOWN and Kinson are being affected by three different sets of work, being carried out by Wessex Water, Bournemouth Borough Council and Southern Gas Networks.

This week Wessex Water started using two-way traffic lights in Wimborne Road with sewer relining work expected to last for six weeks between East Howe Lane and the Northbourne roundabout.

Ian Kalra, the council’s transportation manager, said: “We have carefully co-ordinated these works so any disruption to the local residents and the travelling public is kept to a minimum.

“This has included scheduling the contractors’ programme to ensure that during the night shifts the existing road surfacing can be removed and replaced to ensure that the road can be fully re-opened to traffic the following morning.”