‘Townhead junction road works are affecting business’, says pub owner

Tanners Arms affected by roadworks

Norman Halsall, the owner of The Tanners Arms Pub on Whitworth Road, says that the current road works at Townhead junction are affecting business.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, he said: “Business has dropped by at least 25% since this work started. My customers now have a 200 yard detour to get to the pub and this has proved too much for some of them.”

Work started on the Townhead junction improvements in June 2015 and a metal fence has been erected close to the pub, with many of the roads and pathways to and from the pub closed.

Mr Halsall added: “A lot of people are fed up with it now. You can’t get a taxi to the front of the pub so they have to go the back and there is no direct route to the pub. There is a big fence right in front of us as well.

When improvement work was undertaken in 2008, Mr Halsall faced similar issue. “This is the second time they have done it in seven years,” he said. “We had these issues the first time the work was done because no one could access the pub.”

After researching if he is entitled to any form of compensation due to the loss of trade, Mr Halsall has found that he isn’t entitled to anything.

“According to a government write up I am not entitled to any sort of compensation and no one from the council has been in touch with me about the issue,” said Mr Halsall.

Work to improve the junction was originally scheduled to be completed in November 2015, but following delays, work has fallen behind and is currently scheduled to finish in January 2016.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/97935/completion-of-townhead-junction-improvements-delayed-until-january-2016

“The work has now been delayed and a lot of people aren’t really surprised because half of the time, people are saying that there isn’t anything going on,” added Mr Halsall.

He is now worried that his Christmas trade will be affected.

He said: “Christmas and the build up to Christmas is a busy time for us but it certainly won’t be if this work is still going on.”

Steve Reay, Head of Highways at Rochdale Council, said: “All businesses around the Townhead area are still accessible, although the roadworks have inevitably caused some disruption.

“We apologise for this disruption and appreciate local businesses bearing with us while this scheme is under way. This project will significantly improve traffic flow through the junction and we will continue to keep businesses informed throughout.”