Businesses look to the future after Halesowen roadworks nightmare (From Halesowen News)
Get involved! Send your photos, video, news & views by texting HL NEWS to 80360 or e-mail us
Businesses look to the future after Halesowen roadworks nightmare
8:00am Monday 15th October 2012 in Local
EMBITTERED businesses in Halesowen are hoping to thrive again after a “six month roadworks nightmare” which crippled trade.
The works, a collaboration between South Staffs Water, National Grid and Dudley Council, started in April, with one way systems being enforced on Gorsty Hill Road and Coombs Road which lead to traffic chaos.
Landlady of the Bell and Bear pub Stephanie Cox spoke of her relief when Gorsty Hill Road finally opened this week.
She said: “To say the last six months has been a battle to survive is an understatement. These road works have made life horrendous for all of us, it is a miracle we are still alive.
“I will never know why they took so long but we are looking forward to getting back to normal and putting lots of events on for our customers.”
Jon Sharpe, who runs children’s recycling organisation Kids off the Street, Coombs Road, is also looking forward to the future.
He said: “This has been a very testing time for every business who relies on any sort of passing trade in this part of Halesowen and we are no different.
“No-one dreamed these road, gas and water works would last so long because the council and utility companies could see local businesses were being crippled.
“The one way system created huge problems for us as we rely on local people popping in and recycling clothes for cash and who could blame anyone for steering clear of this part of Halesowen.
“However, I am delighted to say that Kids off the Street and Cash Clothes have survived this very difficult period and to celebrate we have opened a brand new recycling centre at our Coombs Road headquarters.
“We now believe we can fulfil our potential as an organisation that can help local people get cash for clothes and raise money for local childrens organisations through clothes recycling.”
For more information about recycling clothes visit kidsoffthestreet.co.uk or phone 0121 667 5996.
