TRADERS in a picture perfect road in Tenbury Wells have criticised the decision to undertake sewage works just days before Christmas.
It is a key busy trading time with one much-loved shop saying they may not have anything in that day's till due to sewage works being undertaken right outside.
Highway engineers from Severn Trent have been replacing a main pipe on Market Street in Tenbury following repeated attempts to pump away the problem as it leaked sewage into local basements.
But the decision to undertake the work, which started on December 10, has horrified shop owners.
Georgina Franklin, who has run her jewellery business at number 18 on the road for the past 11 years said she understood why it needed to be completed, but questioned the timing.
" Why now? I am completely demoralised," she said. " I will close early and don't expect to take a penny in takings today, which is such a key time for me ahead of Christmas. I need people shopping right now and they will think we are closed."
During the work smaller vehicles can access the road, but large lorries and buses have been getting stuck around the market.
The water company said they were trying to minimise disruption after trying to resolve the problem with pumps.
Samantha Fitzgerald Severn Trent Waste Reactive Lead, said: “We have teams on site in Market Street carrying out work on an issue with one of our waste pipes that has caused a hole beneath the road. We have attended several times to try and resolve the issue using non-invasive methods, but unfortunately, this was unsuccessful.
“We have now reverted to digging in the road to access the pipe and carry out the repairs, and for the safety of the public and our team this has required a temporary road closure. We are working as quickly as possible to get everything fixed and are aiming to have everything finished by the end of the week.
“The local pub has been extremely understanding as we know this has impacted them, and we want to thank the staff there and the public for their patience as we complete our works.”
As to why now? The water company did not answer the question and for Georgina Franklin it could not have come at a worse time.
She told us: " I do feel totally demoralised. It is vital right now for our business as we compete against the internet. So why now do they decide to repair the pipe ?We know it has to be done, but why couldn't it have been done months ago. Why did they leave it until so close to Christmas?"
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