Traders say road works hurt town

Small traders in a Leicestershire town have said they could be forced out of business by years of road works.

Shop owners in Market Harborough have complained that on top of the recession, constant disruption to the town is putting shoppers off.

After major sewer and water main projects, a 12-month scheme to replace gas mains has been announced.

Business leaders have called on the county council to co-ordinate work better to lessen the impact.

Each time they do it, it affects retailers and drives members of the public away Malcolm Lever-Jones, Market Harborough Independent Retail Association

Last year, revamp of a major town centre car park over-ran and the county council is planning road resurfacing and junction improvements.

Now Gas Alliance has confirmed it wants to replace 19 miles of metal and ceramic pipes with plastic but has yet to set any dates.

Malcolm Lever-Jones from the Market Harborough Independent Retail Association has said it is too much.

"We have had five years of continuous road works, through Anglia Water and Severn Trent and the county council.

"And now all that is finished, in the middle of the downturn in business, the gas board has decided to rip up the whole town centre again .

"Each time they do it, it affects retailers and drives members of the public away.

Leicestershire County Council has so far declined to comment apart from confirming it has received notice of work from Gas Alliance.

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