A Gloucestershire garden centre is facing turmoil due to resurfacing road works closing off the business to the public.
Tewkesbury Garden Centre has been subject to the A38 roadworks with little or no notice according to Rachel Gallagher, the manager.
“The roadworks have hit our trade hard with next to nothing coming through the tills. It makes me question what kind of people with have in our local council and why we are paying our Business Rates!
“With next to no communication about the road closure we have been unable to plan stock, staff and of course cash flow, which clearly has wiped out this week and probably next week too.”
Catering manager Mike James told gloustershirelive the current situation outside the Garden Centre is “carnage and a nightmare” because the road is shut to the public but “lorries and diggers were left abandoned” from 2pm.
“They haven’t even started digging the road and we have been told no cars whatsoever can come down once the tarmac has been laid but we are awaiting lots of deliveries including £10,000 worth of plants,”
Richard Waters, area highways manager continued to tell the news-outlet, : “This road resurfacing will provide a good quality surface along the A38 which will benefit road users for many years.
“Due to the road width and work we’re carrying out, to ensure the safety of road users and our workers we have to close the road. However we are splitting the work into phases to minimise disruption and will have gatemen on site to help direct traffic.
“The closure runs from Monday to Friday (7:30am – 5:30pm), so the road will be open in the evenings and throughout the weekend.
“Advance warning signs are in place along this section of the A38 to warn motorists of the works and we have been in contact with businesses and residents along the A38 ahead of work starting.
“I’d like to thank in advance all road users and residents for their patience.”
