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Road closure fears for shops and hospital access

Daisy Bodkin,BBC Gloucestershire and
Carmelo Garcia,Local Democracy Reporting Service
News imageLaura Hall-Wilson A road closure sign, fence and traffic cones on a road in Tetbury with old stone buildings either side and vehicles parked further down the road. Laura Hall-Wilson
Silver Street might not reopen until 27 November

Residents have said they are "angry and upset" about a five-week road closure amid fears it will hit businesses and block access to a local hospital.

Beth Ainsworth, who runs a shop in the Cotswolds town of Tetbury, said the closure of Silver Street would have a negative impact on her business in the run-up to Christmas.

"I don't believe I've met a single person who wants this to go ahead," she said.

Councillor Mark Harris said Gloucestershire County Council "understands the concerns raised and has been working closely with residents, businesses and Tetbury Hospital to minimise disruption where possible".

Silver Street closed on Monday for work to be carried out on a private building that was damaged and may not reopen until 27 November.

It is the main route into town from Malmesbury and the closure means motorists face a 50-mile official diversion route, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The first week of the closure coincides with half-term. Ainsworth, who runs French Grey, said it would have a damaging effect on business.

"It's the last half-term before Christmas, which is what small businesses depend on to carry us through January and February," she said.

"A lot of us are pretty angry and pretty upset."

News imageLaura Hall-Wilson A woman with blonde hair which is tied up. She's wearing a green floral coat and has a serious expression. She is standing in Tetbury, surrounding by cars and old stone buildings. Laura Hall-Wilson
Councillor Laura Hall-Wilson wants highways to scale back the closure

Chair of Tetbury Hospitals Trustees Louise Wall said the closure would cause "major disruption to the minor injuries unit".

She said she felt "frustrated" that there was "no proper consultation" on the roadworks.

"It's left us in a bit of a panic trying to communicate to everybody what's happening," she said.

Laura Hall-Wilson, the Conservative councillor representing Tetbury, said she asked highways to scale back the closure to "ensure as little disruption as possible to Christmas trading and patients at Tetbury Hospital".

She said: "We are still hoping for a last-minute intervention to implement single lane, light-controlled traffic."

Harris said Gloucestershire County Council was looking at whether the working area could be reduced to allow the road to reopen under temporary traffic lights.

"Safety has to be our priority but we recognise the disruption this closure could cause and will continue to work with the contractor to see whether its impact can be reduced," he said.

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