Stores reeling from 'drastic' impact as roadworks extended - but some say 'it might be worth it'

Businesses in Norton are in two minds over the village's controversial roadworks - and while some say "it might be worth it", others say they have suffered "drastic" consequences and are "losing money."

Construction has been ongoing since February to improve parking and traffic flow and extend pedestrianised areas on the High Street. The scheme followed a public consultation in 2020 and engagement with residents, businesses, and visitors in 2021.

The most recent phase has seen Harland Place turned into a building site after the route was closed off on April 1. It was due to be completed by April 15 before first being pushed back to April 29 due to issues with ongoing drainage works. It was then announced on Thursday that the existing road closure will remain in place until May 13 after further issues emerged. Now businesses have had their say on the "disruptive" work - and its "significant" impact.

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As part of the works, Harland Place will now have a one-way system and revamped look, with traffic flow already reversed on the service road in front of Tesco Express. The car park outside Boots will remain closed until the end of September, as will parking on Harland Place, which had its bus stop relocated permanently to the A139.

It is hoped that the works, aimed to make the town fit for future generations, will allow new opportunities, such as leisure activities, pop-up markets, and outdoor seating. The completed scheme will also provide six additional car, taxi, or loading spaces.

'It shouldn't have happened'

"It's a bit disruptive," John Clark, part-owner of Ebony Baby Boutique and Uniformity Schoolwear, admitted. "We have noticed a change because of it, and it is significant. I mean, last week, we did next to nothing downstairs."

John, 70, who has been on the High Street for 23 years, said the footfall has been so low that the business is "losing money." But despite this, he says he is neither "for nor against" the project.

He explained: "The benefits we won't know until it's all done. It has been well thought out and gone through consultation, so they are not doing it for nothing. But we had a bus stop right outside and the first thing they did was take that out. All the buses now have to go around the Red Lion so we are bypassed."

This week, the business was forced to keep the shutters on while work was ongoing directly outside - but John added that the contractors had put up signs to state the business was still open. John remains hopeful: "It might be beneficial when it is all done."

However, a store assistant at home interior firm Peridot said the impact had been "drastic." She explained: "The bus stop has had more impact than anything. A lot of customers are elderly and need somewhere to park and that's now going to put them off."

She claimed that Peridot, which has been in the village for 10 years, has seen decreased trade. "My opinion is that they shouldn't have done this," she said. "The impact on this little village - we are not a town. Yes it is better for pedestrians. But it shouldn't have happened at all - if they are bothered about traffic then just get more wardens."

The Norton resident also fears a traffic gridlock when the road reopens, claiming all customers who come in "aren't happy" about the changes. She said many complain about fewer spaces due to the closed Boots car park.

'It might be worth it - but we don't know yet.'

Jenny McPartlin, events manager at popular bar The Scruffy Duck admitted it has "not been good." She said: "I don't see the point. We have seen a decrease in trade - one woman said her dad was 89 and had to cancel her table as she couldn't drop off outright outside."

Another bar worker said the usually bustling Fridays are now quieter, saying he could "definitely tell" a change. That said, Jenny noted how contractors do "keep popping in" to provide updates - but she fears there is "no end in sight" as the works continue to "drag out."

Meanwhile, Age UK assistant manager Maria McCue said she has seen a reduction in donations, which she believes is due to people struggling to park. Maria said the takings at the store had been down for weeks, with the shop "not hitting target in three to four weeks" - something that was previously common.

"People are all complaining about the parking," she explained. "It might be worth it - but we don't know yet."

'Like breaking eggs with a sledgehammer'

Norton resident John Robinson said he isn't impacted by the roadworks, being a non-driver. The 84-year-old explained: "I think it will look nice when it's finished, I've seen some of the sketches and it looks good."

However, Trevor Addison, who is originally from Hartlepool but has lived in Norton since 1970, argued that there were more important issues that should have been sorted first. The 79-year-old said: "It's like breaking eggs with a sledgehammer. It's not perfect but it has worked for years - we'd be better with more parking."

However, he did admit that it was a "step in the right direction" and would look better - but questioned whether it would "draw any more attention" to the businesses.

Iain Robinson, assistant director of town centre development at the council, said: “We acknowledge the concerns raised from some residents and businesses and have sought to minimise the impact as much as possible during the Norton improvement scheme works.

"Unfortunately, work of this nature on road and footpaths in a constrained High Street environment will inevitably lead to a level of unavoidable disruption. The Council has a dedicated business engagement team who have worked closely with businesses to identify any individual needs they have and to keep them informed in the lead-up to and throughout the works.

"Online and in-person signage has also been created to advertise that all businesses remain open as part of this support. The contractor is working hard to ensure that the current phase of works is complete before the end of May. The overall programme of works is still scheduled to be finished in the autumn as planned.”

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