Roadworks cost local businesses £80,000

I have recently spoken to the proprietor of the Griggs Forge pottery about the continuing roadworks that are in place on Hayle Causeway and he has told me of the devastating effect that the works have has on his business.

Basically, he has lost £30,000 of turnover and has had to sack three staff, who have all been there for many years. Because he owns the premises outright, he will survive; but only with help from the bank. I am told that the The loss of trade suffered by the Old Quay House is said to be even greater and stands in excess of £50,000.

I mentioned the matter to a Hayle district councillor, and his reply was "Well, he's had a few good years." What an attitude! Then they wonder why some of us don't bother to vote!
This business has provided a living for a family and wages for five people - not an opulent living, but a living.
 

I was told that he had no prior written warning that this work was to be done. The first he knew was when Cormac turned up to close the road. So organised were the contractors that they also inadvertently closed off the Park and Ride, and for a short while causing chaos. The proprietor of the pottery told me that he contacted his MP - our MP - and all he got was some stuff about the roadworks having to be scheduled over the peak summer months to avoid disturbing the birds on the Estuary. Well summer has now come and gone, spring is here the birds are about to start breeding again, and still the roadworks go on. No "I'll do what I can for you " from our MP. Neither he nor our local councillors seem give a monkey's.
 

We were all assured that the roadworks would be finished in November, then it date was revised to 'before Christmas' Christmas. A few days before Christmas, they said that it would be completed by "sometime in February" and it beginning to look like even that may have been optimistic.

So we are left with some very pissed-off local  businessmen who in my view have been treated with utter contempt, not only by the contractors but by local politicians. Is it any wonder then that with this calibre of politician, we find ourselves in the situation we are in here in Hayle? Not much incentive for other businesses to set up here, is it?

This article was submitted by Grenville Prowse. We welcome your articles on this or any other topic  that relates to Hayle. All submissions will be considered for publication no matter what viewpoint you may have, See the CONTRIBUTE page for more details. For shorter comments why not visit our DISCUSSION FORUM