Update on 'huge holes in the ground' in city street
City centre roadworks that had Chinatown businesses concerned have now been completed. Venues in and around the location are gearing up for a busy period, with the Year of the Snake beginning earlier this week - on Wednesday, January 29.
The area, as well as several others in the city centre, has already undergone a makeover, with red lanterns spotted hanging above, getting everyone in the festive mood. However, companies on Berry Street - adjacent to where the main Lunar New Year celebrations on Sunday, February 2, are set to happen—previously told the ECHO how they had “no idea what is going on” with the roads.
For several weeks, roadwork was happening in and around the street area in relation to utility works. Some of the work was being carried out by Cadent Gas, which was investigating a gas leak; however, multiple utility companies were working on the street. A spokesperson for Cadent Gas told ECHO that the company's investigation of a gas leak in an underground pipeline is now complete.
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The Electricity Network Company, an Independent Distribution Network Operator operated by GTC, had put barriers in place that had been causing misery for businesses. GTC said it was “installing electricity assets in the public highway to supply a local new-build housing development on Upper Duke Street.” A spokesperson from the company confirmed to the ECHO its work had been completed and the road would be clear by Friday, January 31, at 10 am
Numerous venues feared the roadworks would hinder footfall during the city’s annual celebrations and, therefore, impact them financially. Janice Zhen, a cake baker at BonBon Bakery, said her venue has opened every year on the day of celebrations since it launched in 2013.
The 28-year-old explained how she and her parents, Chen and Bon, believe that opening while the fireworks and the lion and dragon parade take place is good luck for the shop for the rest of the year. With a devoted fanbase to feed on the day, she worried the roadworks could be a barrier for the family-owned bakery.
She said: “We are usually busy on the day, but we are not sure how this year will look. It’s been a tough year for everyone, but the roadworks add to this because they block one side of the road.
"It has been going on for around two weeks now, and when I asked when it would be done, I never got a straight answer. It would be far better for everyone if they were done before Chinese New Year. I think every business on Berry Street hopes for it to be solved as soon as possible.”
GTC, the company responsible, said it was currently in the process of “installing electricity assets in the public highway to supply a local new-build housing development on Upper Duke Street.” The spokesperson added, “Works are progressing well, and as agreed with the local authority, we expect to be finished by close of business on Friday, January 31st.”