Star comment: Roadworks help from council key for shops
Roadworks – expected to last until the middle of March – are under way at Wyle Cop, which could potentially have a big impact on the businesses operating in this famous part of Shrewsbury.
Roadworks are a tricky issue. They are programmed in order to improve our physical infrastructure and lead to long-term benefits for road users, businesses and visitors to our towns.
And yet the short-term effect of roadworks is frequently a hit at the tills as shoppers and customers stay away so as to avoid noise and inconvenience.
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On some occasions, the upset caused to the delicate balance is catastrophic. Only last year, one of the county’s best restaurants was lost as a programme of road works on the county’s A49 led to such a fall in revenues that it was left with no option but to close.
And during the past year, many traders in Shrewsbury have had reason to complain as an extensive programme of improvements have taken place to roads leading into the town. Some – including the so-called ‘Hamburger Island’ – have arguably led to no or little discernible improvement. People have on occasion wondered why so much money has been spent, so much trouble caused and so little benefit gained.
The roadworks at Wyle Cop might have serious repercussions for some shops and businesses. Those who programme the improvements must do all they can to ensure people are not deterred from our main shopping areas for too long.
In the age of online shopping, ensuring the roadworks have the minimum impact is vital if businesses want to avoid putting off shoppers. However there are things that can be done to mitigate the impact: Good signposting, consultation with affected businesses and plenty of awareness-raising being among them.
The businesses at Wyle Cop are optimistic and it is to be hoped the council supports them through every means necessary to ensure they start the new year off in the right way.
Shrewsbury remains a key town for Shropshire and Wyle Cop is a jewel in its crown,. It is largely populated by high-class independent retailers whose cash flows cannot afford a long-term hit.
It is to be hoped that partially closing the area to traffic until mid-March will not have a negative effect in the short term – and will lead to tangible long-term improvements for everyone.
