Bognor traders speak out over '˜hell' on the High Street

Town centre businesses say the ongoing roadworks are causing them '˜absolute hell'.
The first phase of the £600,000 High Street improvements has just been completedThe first phase of the £600,000 High Street improvements has just been completed
The first phase of the £600,000 High Street improvements has just been completed

One pub landlord says his takings have been down around £2,500 since the High Street improvement works started in February.

Alan Frith at the William Hardwicke said: “I’d say we’ve been hit the hardest because our front entrance was completely blocked off.

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“I’ve lost about £2,500 a week because everyone thinks we’ve been shut, it’s been a total nightmare with our deliveries as well.

“During the evening it’s been OK because people can see the lights are on, but during the day it’s been tragic.

Mr Frith said he would be seeking compensation.

The £600,000 project began on February 22 and is seeing the High Street upgraded, with new block paving being laid down.

Melissa Woods, owner of The Worx Hair and Beauty, expressed safety concerns. She said: “The cages have only just gone from outside us, it’s been absolute joke.

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“By making the road look pedestrianised people don’t realise that buses will still be whizzing down it.

“All day every day we watch people step out without looking, customers think it’s been turned pedestrian only when it hasn’t, it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said the scheme was on schedule to finish early summer, and once completed will ‘make the High Street more attractive, pedestrian friendly and safer for pedestrians.’

He said the first phase of the works had finished last Friday, adding: “Access to all businesses on the High Street has been maintained at all times during the construction.”