Businesses' despair at roadworks
Long-running roadworks on a busy route though Wolverhampton have seemingly ground to a halt, according to fed up business bosses – with claims that workers haven't been seen on site for weeks.
Repair work on the Compton Bridge on the A454 Bridgnorth Road in Compton by the water firm Severn Trent had due to be completed in April but bosses said today it could be August before work is finished.
Drivers who use the route and businesses in the area say they have been left frustrated as work on the bridge appears to have stopped with no workers on site while traffic backs onto Bridgnorth Road and Compton Road - causing delays of up to 20 minutes.
Shop owners have criticised Severn Trent for the hold-ups and say they have seen a drop in trade.
Harpal Pahal, a manager for Wine Sellers on Bridgnorth Road said: "I can't remember the last time I saw someone working on the bridge. It should have been completed in April, then we were told in May and you think 'okay a few weeks isn't so bad' but now we've been told July. I have seen a drop in sales because people are avoiding this area.
"There needs to be some sort of gesture or compensation from Severn Trent because it shouldn't take this long."
Giuseppe Albanese who runs Pep's Plaice chip shop on Compton Road – opposite the roadworks - said: "We have a lot of customers who drive from all over Wolverhampton for our chips, but because of the roadworks it's taking an extra 20 minutes to get here."
"But these roadworks should have been done by now and people aren't happy."
Boss of Aston Bentley Interiors, Nick Cooper, said there was a steady flow of traffic but it still affected trade, he added: "We're smack in the centre of it and even though there's someone operating the traffic lights and there's a steady flow of traffic it still has an impact."
Severn Trent could not be reached for comment.
Severn Trent Water spokeswoman Sarah McArthur said: "In order to make sure our customers' water supply was not affected, we started emergency work to repair a leak in a large water pipe running alongside Compton Bridge in April.
"This repair work has become more complex than first anticipated. We'd like to apologise for any inconvenience this may be causing and thank the local community for their ongoing patience.
"We're meeting with Wolverhampton County Council to discuss when this work will finish."
