Month of disruption for traffic and traders at Sidmouth’s Radway

RECENT roadworks set up on Vicarage Road, Sidmouth, could be in place for a while, leaving businesses concerned they could see a drop in trade.

These roadworks were set up by Wales and West Utilities on behalf of Morrisons and they are expected to be in place for until November 19.

Although the council have received no official complaints about the roadworks, there is a difference of opinion over whether these roadworks will affect the services local businesses represent.

Some feel that their business will be partially affected. “It would definitely affect the foot-flow of people coming past,” said Carlton Leworthy of C&C Electrical.

“We do get quite a bit of business through the telephone so hopefully these won’t affect that.”

Others, such as Jane Coltart of Sue Ryder Care, have not felt the effects yet.

She said: “This hasn’t affected us yet, but if they come any further down the road it may well. Although, several of our elder volunteers come in by bus, so it could affect them, what with the buses not stopping.”

The fact that the buses are no longer stopping on that stretch of road is a problem that could affect many of the general public, not just businesses. Many people who come to Sidmouth from the surrounding areas rely on the bus stopping near their destination and this could mean people having to walk further from bus stops.

Also near these roadworks is an arrangement of take-aways and restaurants, which could well see a drop in business due to the noise.

However, those at the Radway Inn don’t think it will create a problem. “Not really”, said a barman. “It could affect people that come in on buses, but I don’t think it will affect the pub in the main. It just affects my headache.”

A spokesperson for Devon County Council said it had not received any complaints since the roadworks began.