Six weeks’ town centre disruption (From Evesham Journal)

Six weeks’ town centre disruption

11:34am Thursday 21st February 2013 in News

MAJOR roadworks are set to cause disruption to trade and motorists in Pershore for the next six weeks.

Business owners along Pershore High Street are worried the project to replace 145 metres of old iron gas mains, which began on Tuesday, will put people off shopping in the town with large tailbacks already frustrating drivers.

Judy Lianos, owner of Jolie Ladieswear in Pershore High Street, said: “It is very bad for us. We are just starting a new season.

“It’s been vile in the retail trade with the floods and snow and we get back on our feet and then we get this. People come down the hill and see the queue and head off to Cheltenham.”

Mike Shephard, of Echelon bike shop, said he had already seen queues as a result of traffic lights at the junctions of High Street with Priest Lane and Head Street in place for the duration of the works.

“It is a real pain for people coming into work and the town,” he said.

“Drivers have been queueing up the High Street since 8am. They are shaking their heads and this is just the first day. It could affect the trade in the shop.”

However, the message from traders, Wychavon District Council and the Pershore Market Town Partnership (PMTP) is that Pershore is very much open for business and shoppers are being urged to carry on making use of the town’s wide range of shops.

Fiona Abbott, owner of Three Little Pigs, said: “The congestion is not as bad as I anticipated. I thought it would be mayhem but they seem to be doing a good job.”

Pershore Market Town Partnership and Wychavon District Council are hoping to counteract any problems by giving a cash boost to the town’s Pride loyalty card scheme with the monthly prize draw winner receiving £250 in vouchers in February and March.

Michael Amies, the PMTP chairman, said: “The work has to be done, but we hope this will help to persuade local people to make the best of it.

“We want people to keep coming to Pershore if they want the shops to be there when the road re-opens.”