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Two-year works cause problems for city businesses

Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC A man standing on the street beside some bright orange pavement works, with his business in the background.Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC
Spencer Carlowe, general manager of Voodoo Keller Bar, standing in front of the pavement works

Long-running pavement works have obstructed shopfronts, caused loud noises and kicked up dirt, business owners have claimed.

The businesses in Chelmsford, Essex, each feared shoppers would believe they were closed due to the disruption caused by the pedestrianisation of Tindal Square.

Spencer Carlowe, 48, of Voodoo Keller Bar, said the works, spanning the past two years, were "inhibiting" the High Street and it seemed "to be going nowhere".

Essex County Council said it expected the project to be completed in autumn after "delays caused by electrical connection issues".

Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC Bright red roadworks with a smalls sign with an arrow to the walkway. It says "pedestrians".Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC
Works have been ongoing for "over two years"

Mr Carlowe said the fencing sometimes featured advertisements that blocked CCTV cameras and served as a blind spot for drug-users.

"It's a perfect shield for them," he explained.

Asked how the works affected a typical Friday night, he said: "This has been constant, so I don’t have any comparison of a normal Friday night where the high street is open."

Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC A woman with her arms folded, with her business and the roadworks behind herHenry Godfrey-Evans/BBC
Ali Holman, founder of Bowerbirds Interiors, said the roadworks were "filthy"

Ali Holman, founder of Bowerbirds, has been trading since August 2022, with the works existing for "pretty much" as long as her business.

"People can't actually see that Bowerbirds is here... sometimes the screens surrounding the works are taller and you can't see the building at all," she said.

"The windows are filthy, the door is filthy, and all that gets dragged into the shop."

She said the work stopped for six months while filming took place at Shire Hall, but the obstructions remained on the street.

Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC Ibrihim Gilgil, with beard, glasses and grey shirt, standing in front of his barber's shopHenry Godfrey-Evans/BBC
Ibrihim Gilgil, who runs The Man Cave barbers, said he was fed up of the drilling

Ibrahim Gilgil, 22, owner of The Man Cave barbers, said: "I've been hearing the drilling for the last two and a half years of my life."

Mr Gilgil said he felt for his customers: "They come in for comfort... I'd consider finding another place to find a haircut"

"Sometimes... I don't even know if my shop's open."

A council spokesman said it appreciated the concerns raised by businesses and said work was ongoing to finish the project.

"The scheme overall has had a positive impact on Chelmsford High Street," he added.

"It has removed motorised vehicles from the top of the High Street, helping better connect businesses by providing better pedestrian access."

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