Blackheath pub boss speaks of anger at roadworks - which he says will cost him £5,000
A pub landlord is unhappy after roadworks appeared outside his business without notice – a move he says will cost him £5,000.
The work outside the Waterfall Inn, in Waterfall Lane, Blackheath, is for Openreach, part of BT.
But licensee Stan Gardner says he received no notice for the work, which started on Monday and is expected to last a week. He said the work is causing major traffic problems in the area and putting customers off from coming to his pub.
He said mid-week lunchtimes would see 25 to 30 customers. But yesterday he had just seven.
He said: "The first I heard about the works was when I got a call at the door of the pub asking me to move my car.
"I was then told it was a major works project with traffic lights to be installed. It was frustrating as if I'd known previously I could have put signs up and warned customers over the weekend."
BT Openreach would have notified Sandwell Council, which then issued a roadworks report for the week commencing this week. The report for this week includes the work. But Mr Gardner, who also runs the Bell and Bear pub in Rowley Regis, said he received no notice.
He said: "We hope it is over sooner rather later."
BT spokesman Emma Tennant said: "Openreach are installing 135 metres of new ducting as part of work to extend the roll-out high-speed fibre broadband across the Black Country.
"Openreach apologies for any inconvenience caused while this important work is being carried out. Every effort is being made to finish it as soon as possible. All the correct procedures were followed."
A spokesman for Sandwell Council said: "Utility companies have a statutory right to work in the road once they have served notice on the council. It's the company's responsibility to notify local residents and businesses.
"While we have sympathy with the landlord of the Waterfall pub it is sometimes necessary for companies to carry out essential maintenance of their services. The contractors will be working as quickly as possible to minimise disruption to businesses and residents and all work should be complete by September 16."
