Huddersfield restaurant owner's 'nightmare on Viaduct Street' over railway works


A restaurant owner has seen takings plummet during a 'nightmare' 18 months beneath a railway viaduct and with 'no end in sight'.

Mario Ozoria of Primo Italian restaurant in Huddersfield is desperate for help after work to strengthen railway arches in Huddersfield town centre led to water entering his restaurant on three occasions. Mario, along with nearby Apadana restaurant, claim that the work by Network Rail on Viaduct Street has left them facing several 'nasty surprises' over recent months during the TransPennine Route Upgrade work.

He said: "There's no business here any more due to so many disruptions. We are going to stagger on and try our best, but we need compensation quickly for the damage that they have caused the business."

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Mario Ozoria of Primo Italian restaurant says takings are down 50% due to railway work in Viaduct Street, Huddersfield
Mario Ozoria of Primo Italian restaurant says takings are down 50% due to railway work in Viaduct Street, Huddersfield

Mario added: "It is just a nightmare on here at the moment...we have had three major leaks caused by them, with water and debris."

Mario said the restaurant remains open but he fears for the future. He said that in May last year representatives of Network Rail met and assured businesses in Viaduct Street that everything would be done to minimise the impact that the work would have on them.

However, the businesses have claimed that Network Rail failed to appoint anyone to liaise with them and, as a result, have repeatedly been hit by 'nasty surprises' as events unfolded.

First, in July last year, without warning, scaffolding suddenly went up across their frontages, which they said gave the impression that the businesses were closed. This remained for months despite apparently being unused, they claimed. After repeated complaints the scaffolding was removed in December.

Mario Ozoria of Primo Italian restaurant, says railway upgrade work is damaging his trade and has caused leaks to his premises in Viaduct Street, Huddersfield -Credit:Yorkshire Live
Mario Ozoria of Primo Italian restaurant, says railway upgrade work is damaging his trade and has caused leaks to his premises in Viaduct Street, Huddersfield -Credit:Yorkshire Live

In January this year businesses were told they would have to close for a period of months, empty their fridges and move equipment and furniture out. But on February 19, just days before the date of closure, they were told a mistake had been made and no closure would be necessary.

In July, drilling work resulted in dirt and water entering several business premises. They claim that further mistakes were made as the drilling "repeatedly burst through the walls into the businesses."

Mario said that, on September 9, without any pre-warning, cement grout under pressure sprayed through masonry at Primo restaurant. After emailing a complaint to Network Rail a reply came back suggesting the business should clear up the mess and put in a claim for compensation for the cost involved.

But, according to Mario, the Network Rail email writer may not have realised that the grout was a type of concrete and had set solid. He has yet to receive any compensation.

And in the last two weeks further work has taken place. The restaurant owners say they now find themselves in a "very difficult position" because drilling to put steel ties and anchors into the viaduct structure has now moved to the front of their premises. The drilling using high pressure water is taking place at night and has sprayed mud across the front of adjacent empty property and onto the street below.

Mario has seen the mess outside the former Gringos restaurant and fears the operation of his own business could become 'untenable' when the work reaches him, which he fears could be any day now.

Mario is desperate for someone to talk to the business owners and said: "We feel that no one at Network Rail has any understanding of what is happening or cares about what happens to us."

Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Huddersfield, Harpreet Uppal, at Huddersfield Railway Station
Huddersfield Labour MP Harpreet Uppal -Credit:Harpreet Uppal

The Viaduct Street businesses have been supported by Huddersfield Labour MP Harpreet Uppal who told Yorkshire Live: "I have been meeting local businesses on Viaduct Street about some of the disruption they are facing. Whilst the impact of disruption has differed for each business, impacting some less than others, I will be raising concerns that have been raised with me with the appropriate authorities and supporting them where possible."

She added: "The Trans Pennine upgrade is vitally important for Huddersfield and I support it fully but I want to help to reduce any disruption local businesses are facing."

In a statement, Gareth Hope, Sponsor for Transpennine Route Upgrade said: "Our work on Huddersfield viaduct is covered by the Transport and Works Act Order between Huddersfield and Westtown, a vital part of our upgrades to strengthen the viaduct before installing two additional tracks and overhead power lines for electric trains. This will take us one step closer to a greener and cleaner railway in the future, running between Manchester and York.

"We’re working hard to maintain listed buildings, bridges and viaducts, ensuring Huddersfield's iconic railway is safeguarded for future generations. This work will sometimes impact local residents and businesses, but we continue to do our upmost to ensure that any disruption is minimised.

"We're working closely with the tenants and their landlords to limit the impact where possible and we are meeting with local businesses in this area next week to discuss their concerns."

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