Mauchline business fears he may go bust because of roadworks

Jul 23 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

VITAL roadworks have brought a village to its knees – and threatened to send a businessman bust.

Garage boss Alan Murray claims road upgrades in Mauchline, which began last week, could cost him £100,000 in turnover.

And he insists road chiefs have acted without thought for the community as they embark on a 10 week improvement schedule.

Mr Murray, who owns Mauchline Service Station, said: “I understand they have a job to do, but they’re going about it entirely the wrong way.

“Access to our street is blocked by what amounts to sentry guards asking everyone where they’re going and barely letting any cars through.

“As a result, my business has dropped to 15 per cent trade of what it usually would be and people think the shop is closed.

“I don’t know how much longer I can sustain this. They claim we’ll only be affected for 10 days during the first phase of work, but even then we’ll need them to remove signage which effectively says Mauchline is closed.

“People aren’t coming near the village because they’re seeing these signs for miles around.

“We knew it was going to be bad during this work, but nothing on this scale, and it just feels like the people in charge of the project have come in with no consideration for businesses in the area.”

However, road chiefs insist they’re doing all they can to minimise disruption during the programme, which is costing £1.6 million.

A spokesman for Amey said: “Amey is acutely aware of the impact of working in the heart of communities when upgrading and improving the trunk road infrastructure for use in years to come.

“Over the last two years we have liaised closely with the community council, elderly forum and councillors regarding the works taking place in Mauchline to help plan the scheme taking into consideration local views. “Based on feedback since work began last week we have installed additional signing at Mauchline Cross to indicate that businesses continue to trade throughout the reconstruction.”