'Roadworks mismanagement has cost us thousands'

A bookshop in Derbyshire has said poor communication over nearby roadworks has cost it tens of thousands of pounds.

Derbyshire County Council began a month of resurfacing as part of works at Brierlow Bar, south of Buxton, on 14 March.

The authority published a public notice to say four full weekend closures would be needed at the junction where High Peak Bookstore and Cafe is based.

Managing director Louisa Rogers said the bookshop was open as usual and accessible from both directions - but claimed the council's communication of the roadworks had driven away tens of thousands of pounds of business.

She said over the first six days of April, compared to the same period last year, takings were down by £12,000.

She said: "I obviously knew that it was going to impact business a little but I had a panicky phone call saying it said in the local paper that the Brierlow Bar junction is going to have four full weekend closures.

"I barely slept. It's nothing to do with the road closure itself, it's the communication - they basically told all our potential customers we're going to be closed for four full weekends, when actually we're not.

"I'm worried about all the 47 people who I employ, about being able to pay them at the end of the month, about being able to pay my suppliers at the end of the month.

"It's just really frustrating and the lack of consideration and care and communication from the council has been absolutely awful.

"They said it won't happen in future, that they'll make sure that they communicate with other businesses in future and tell them what's happening, and I'm glad that they'll do that - but it's not doing anything for me."

The council said it was "sorry" at the upset caused at a "popular" business and was "trying to minimise any disruption whilst we do these important works to improve safety at the A515/B5053 Brierlow Bar junction, in response to local requests and a sad collision history".

It said access had been opened up to the book store after discussions, and information for customers had been posted at the diversion signs.

A spokesperson said: "We've been trying to work with and update the owner and store staff as regularly as possible - as well as enjoying purchasing their fantastic coffee and cake.

"We do understand concerns about the weekend closure, but this is sadly necessary because of the work needed and the volume of traffic on this main road.

"But we've worked to avoid the Easter weekend and managed to keep the weekend closure to one weekend, despite also finding and needing to repair the drainage system, which should also help with previous road flooding issues in the area."

Work is on track to be fully completed by 2 May, the council added.

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