Don't let road closures cut you off from your regular suppliers

Some members have been reporting an impact on their businesses, caused by the long-term road works which have closed Limeburn Hill and Chew Hill roads up to Dundry for the last few weeks. They noted an improvement when they were temporarily opened at weekends, but have suffered on weekdays.

Obviously, maintenance and improvement works have to be done, and there’s never an ideal time. All we can ask is that the projects are completed as quickly as possible and that clear signage is put in place to say which businesses are open as usual.

However, the fact is that we don’t have that many roads, and diversions can involve people in much longer journeys than normal. I know it can be inconvenient, but I would urge people carry on helping local businesses through the tough times, because you would miss them if they weren’t there when things got back to normal on the roads.

There’s not much good news for businesses when it comes to the question of compensation. Back in 2010 a statement in Parliament said: “The general rule is that there is no compensation if a business is affected by road works. Successive governments have taken the view that businesses should not have the right in law to any particular given level of passing trade, and that traders must take the risk of loss due to temporary disruption of traffic flows along with all the other various risks of running a business.” However, the understanding of how it affects businesses by the companies undertaking the work on our roads would be a help.

There is some slightly better news when it comes to work by utilities companies, although it’s a complex story.  For example, gas companies need to compensate a business for lost revenue if works last more than 28 days. The amount would be worked out as the difference between profits that would usually have been achieved and those that were earned during the period of works. However, the compensation would have to be above £500 and below 2.5% of yearly revenue. So, it won’t be an easy process and you can imagine many small businesses don’t have the time to go through with it.

There are signs up to say there is more road disruption to come during the months ahead. Chew Magna will be affected again, so please, where you can, do continue to support your local businesses around the valley and also the many activities people have worked hard to put on during the Summer.