THE A51 road closure will create a “nightmare” for local businesses and some say they might even have to shut down for the duration of the roadworks.
Cheshire County Council has announced that the A51 is expected to be closed for nine weeks between the Willington Lane junction at Clotton to the roundabout with the A49 Tarporley bypass between Monday, August 4 and mid October.
Abdul Rahin, owner of Spice Blu Indian restaurant in Clotton, said he might have to shut down for the duration of the closure because he won’t be able to afford to pay wages.
He said: “We rely heavily on passing trade and deliveries. If our drivers can’t get through or people can’t get through to pick up their food we will be in big trouble.
“I have spent a lot of money on advertising and refurbishing the restaurant and now the road will be closed. If we don’t have any customers I might have to shut the restaurant for the duration of the road closure.”
He added: “We have also heard very little about the closure, not even a letter to tell us what is going on. For something that is going to affect us so significantly, Highways have been terrible at informing us about it.”
Ann Hull, general manager of the Iddenshall Care Home, said it was going to be a “nightmare” for them.
She said: “It has been extremely short notice – we actually only received a letter telling us about it on Wednesday last week.
“We think we will have to use the minibus to get staff in, so I will have to employ somebody to drive that. It is going to be very difficult.”
A Cheshire County Council spokesman said: “Each household will get two access permits.”
“The road will be manned each side so people will be able to get through. If other people need to get through either to access businesses or visit people they will be allowed through but will be questioned as to where they are going.”
naomi.dunning
