Market Harborough Traders Question Pace Of Roadworks

Businesses on Adam and Eve Street in Market Harborough say they are frustrated by disruption caused by a week-long road closure.

Traders claim little work has been carried out since the road was shut on Monday, with some saying the restrictions are affecting business.

Frustrated traders say little work has been carried out since the road was shut on Monday – Pictured are L-R Megan and Duncan Murray from Duncan Murray Wines, Wes Suter from Steffans Jewellers and Macy Godding from Pugh & Son

The drainage works by Leicestershire County Council have also led to a lane closure near The Square, with temporary traffic lights causing lengthy delays for drivers on all approaches to the town centre.

Megan Murray from Duncan Murray Wines said trade had been affected by reduced access, with deliveries cancelled, and questioned why more progress had not been made while the road remained closed.

The council said the repairs were essential and had to be carried out in stages.

Peter Pugh, manager of the Pugh and Son shop, also criticised the pace of the work, saying businesses were being disrupted without seeing enough activity on site:

Temporary traffic lights have been causing lengthy delays for drivers on all approaches to the town centre.

Responding to the concerns, a spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: “We understand the concerns of local traders regarding the ongoing closure of Adam and Eve Street and the disruption it has caused.”

The council said the drainage repairs and block paving replacement were essential and had to be carried out in stages, adding that “for safety reasons, the road closure and traffic management must remain in place throughout the works.“

The council said the repairs were essential and had to be carried out in stages.

It said it hoped to complete the scheme by the end of Thursday, one day ahead of schedule, but if that was not possible the work would be finished by Friday as planned.