Businesses say traffic jams and diversions caused by electrical work in Grimsby are 'decimating' sales
JUST days into a 10-week electricity cable scheme, businesses claim their trade has been "decimated" and motorists are being caught up in traffic jams.
Northern Powergrid is laying new cables along Pyewipe Road and Boulevard Avenue, in Grimsby, as part of a £3-million upgrade to the area's power supply.
A one-way scheme has been put in place diverting traffic and bus routes, leaving firms counting the cost of the impact it is having on custom.
Today, Northern Powergrid has apologised to anyone adversely affected by the scheme.
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Builders merchant Jewson claims it has lost half its usual trade due to the roadworks.
Assistant branch manager Mick Thickett said: "Normally we would have up to 50 customers each day and so far we have only had around 25 – and this is just the first week of the scheme.
"A lot of our customers are taking longer to get to us, so many of them are not even trying and going off to other firms.
"Also, we've been told we will have our only access point completely blocked for the installation of the new pipework.
"I have contacted the contractors in anticipation of this closure and asked them to carry out the work outside of trading hours, preferably this weekend.
"It would cause chaos as our articulated lorries will not be able to get in or out. As it is, our customers have to turn right and get caught up in the queues – it is not good."
Motorists are experiencing long tailbacks as traffic is diverted along the A180 to Lockhill roundabout.
This is having a knock-on effect on drivers travelling over the flyover near Riby Square, and bus passengers say they are experiencing problems "daily".
George Baker is chairman of the transport committee of Eng-Age, the local group which examines transport issues.
He said: "We have fought hard for a better bus service in the West Marsh, and now have the number one and two that serves both Lord Street and Corporation Street.
"Passenger numbers are increasing, but there is a danger that with buses temporarily being unable to run down these streets, people will not return to them once the roadworks are over.
"That could well place in peril the long-term survival of a commercial bus operation in the ward."
10 Comments
by seadog
Saturday, February 09 2013, 10:16AM
“would it not be better to make the road one way in the morning then swop it to one way into town about 3pm ready for the tea time traffic ??”
by eye_eye
Saturday, February 09 2013, 8:10AM
“did note at 4.15pm last night, Friday, the usual nose-to-tail congestion wasn't there Ind Estate roundabout down to Pyewipe, with no queues on the roundabout turning down pyewipe. Even coming up to Lock Hill the traffic was queued back further than usual but it moved freely”
by Bizarre57
Friday, February 08 2013, 9:48PM
“Genuine enquiry xochitl: are there not materials available now which would provide insulation & prevent cross-contamination? If not, sounds like one for The Dragons' Den!”
by AfricanMeggy
Friday, February 08 2013, 9:28PM
“Its great to hear that when the Japanese install replacement cables they do it within 24 hours with only a ten minute break for a bowl of rice and sushi! Banzai! Furthermore everyone gets cholera every few years in third world countries! Have you ever been to a third world country? No! I did n't think so! Boy you guys can moan! What would happen if you had something really to moan about like no food or a roof over your head.The cables have to be replaced! Get over it!”
by des22
Friday, February 08 2013, 6:19PM
“PC Gardener will be delighted. All his Christmases have come at once. Instant speed limits on virtually every road in town.”
by xochitl
Friday, February 08 2013, 6:18PM
“BBBerta : - your idea seems reasonable at first glance but utilities cannot be contained in the same trench for health and safety reasons. Electricity and gas must be separated in case of gas leak and short circuit, water and sewer kept apart in case of a sewer leak contaminating the water supply. Sewer and electric, including underground cable TV and telephone lines, again a risk of explosion as sewers give off methane gas. These things are based on many years of experience and are the reason you don't have diseases like cholera sweeping the country every few years as you do in third world countries.”
by markus250666
Friday, February 08 2013, 12:13PM
“Traffic is a nightmare, well from the pic the car sellers have found a new place to sell there cars rather than on grimsby road (in the Background cars for sale)”
by BBBerta
Friday, February 08 2013, 9:36AM
“I have always said it would be worth investing in deep gullys running along all road gutters which would have proper drainage and concrete lids. Then all the services could be laid in them and repairs and new installations would be so much quicker, easier and cheaper. It's ridiculous that the roads are dug up to lay new cables by one company then a few months later another company digs them up again.”
by xStevex
Friday, February 08 2013, 9:25AM
“I look forward to using Boulevard Avenue / Pyewipe Road as a Slalom ski-ing course in future then as I avoid the many hundreds of pot holes / trenches in the road where utility companies dig up sections of this road and fail to leave it as they found it !
Whilst necessary the upgrades, just please make sure you put the road back PROPERLY !”
by BennyMountain
Friday, February 08 2013, 9:08AM
“Ten weeks to do this? Absolutely pathetic. This link highlights why our construction industry is a joke and our workers are bone idle. http://tinyurl.com/684slcd
If we worked half as hard as the Japanese, our country wouldn't be in the pathetic state it is now. I would like a representative of Northern Powergrid to explain why it will take nearly a fifth of a year to do this small job.”