Businesses on one Wiltshire town's High Street have seen sales slump after months of constant roadworks.
Royal Wootton Bassett’s central avenue is full of independent traders selling their wares – but lane closures and traffic queues have made it more difficult to get to them.
The work began at the end of last summer as five pedestrian crossings were upgraded. After a short break over Christmas and New Year, roadworks returned to the area for gas pipeline maintenance which is due to finish on March 4.
In the meantime, three-way traffic control manages the flow of vehicles along the one lane that is still open, causing tailbacks.
John Rouse of J Rouse and Son Ltd sells DIY hardware next to the new crossing, in a store that has been trading since 1884.
He said: “The road works have killed the street stone dead.
“Our sales have gone right down because fewer people are coming into Bassett – but the price of everything is going up.
“Last Saturday, it would have been cheaper for us to shut rather than stay open. I hope people will come back once the works are finished.”
On the other side of the road, Mandy and Gabrielle Dus run County Jewellers inside Apsley House.
Gabrielle said: “The roadworks have been going on for ages, it’s been a nightmare.
“People want to drive into the High Street but the delays are horrendous, even on Sundays, so they would rather go into Swindon because it’s quicker and less of a hassle.
“It has been slightly busier since the first works ended. Hopefully, it all stops soon.”
Sam Reeve works in the Card Factory store and added: “They started at one end, worked their way down, then went back to the top and worked their way down again. Why not do it all the first time around?
“There are fewer free parking spaces at the moment and once you’re in one, it’s hard to get out.
“The High Street will recover – it’s already starting to pick up now that the works have moved further down – but everyone I’ve spoken to says it’s impacted them.”
One shop owner who did not wish to be named said: “I’m not sure why the council could not have ensured the roadworks were all done together. It’s causing backlogs and knocked out one of the crossings.
“It’s rare to have a High Street with this many [independent businesses]. Bassett has a huge Shop Local community. We need the traffic to keep coming through – they’re our bread and butter!”
Another anonymous business owner added: “It’s been quiet for months because people are avoiding the High Street.
“We should get a refund on our council tax or business rates. It’s hard to cover wages and expenses while costs are going up.
“I hope everyone comes back but we’ll have to just wait and see.
“I wish there was more communication about the works – you think ‘what’s next?’"
On Tuesday evening, carriageway resurfacing, road marking replacement, and ironworks reinstatement began and is expected to finish on April 8.
Coun Alison Bucknell told the Adver: "The work has to be done. Wiltshire Council has no say over utility companies but we can help them coordinate.
"When reasonable and possible, we instruct that the Statutory Undertakers work collaboratively.
"Officers coordinate the road network the best they can to ensure the least amount of disruption to the road user.
"The roads on the way into the High Street are deserted, they're normally full of cars, but I hope people will come back."
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