THE government has ruled out compensating businesses who were affected by the recent eight-week road closure at the bottom of Trinity, rejecting calls for a ‘gesture’ for lost earnings, such as a rebate on tax, social security contributions or parish rates.
Some traders in Grands Vaux say they were close to going out of business because of the disruption while work was carried out to separate surface and foul water in Trinity Road.
It was supposed to finish on 1 September but this was delayed until Tuesday [9 SEPT] after cavities under the surface were discovered.
During the closure, vehicles were diverted up Queen’s Road and through Vallée des Vaux, and via Langley Avenue.
Recently, the JEP reported on the impact on the roadworks on Courtside Café at the Caesarean Tennis Club, where owner Waldemar Waligora had seen an 80% drop in takings since the road closed.
He called on the government to make a ‘gesture’ – such has a reduction in tax or social security contributions – in recognition of the damaging impact of the roadworks.
But in a statement this week, the Infrastructure and Environment Department rejected this, arguing that compensation would set a “wide-reaching” precedent.
It said: “Trinity Road has now reopened following eight weeks of essential infrastructure works. We recognise the disruption this caused to nearby traders and residents, and we’re grateful for their patience throughout.
“The works were originally scheduled earlier in the year but had to be postponed due to complications at Rouge Bouillon.
“To minimise further disruption, they were rescheduled for the summer holidays when traffic levels are typically lower. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances during the project meant the timeline had to be extended.”
It added: “Consultation took place with traders and residents before and during the works, and their feedback helped shape the approach. We acknowledge the impact was still significant and will be reviewing how engagement and mitigation can be improved in future.
“On the question of compensation, while we sympathise with businesses affected, there is no legal provision for disruption payments for works carried out under statutory powers.
“These works are carried out are for the public good, improving safety, access, and long-term infrastructure.
“Introducing compensation would set a precedent with wide-reaching financial and legal implications, and no UK or comparable jurisdiction currently offers such rebates.
“We remain open to dialogue and will continue to work with the community to minimise disruption wherever possible.”
Mr Waligora’s plea for support was shared by other traders in the area.
Prime Fry owner Tom Howell said: “The road closure destroyed the business – we saw our turnover drop by 60% immediately and in the last week we were taking just 20% of our usual turnover.
“In the end, we decided to bring everyone’s holiday forward and close the business for 24 days. There was no point being open.”
He added: “With normal roadworks, you usually keep one lane open but whoever made the decision to close the road completely made no provision at all for the community or the people who work there.
“The feedback from our customers who did make it was that it was a struggle to get to us. We find that guests from the Hotel de France like to come to us for fish and chips but even they couldn’t find us with the road closed.
“I suspect that whoever is in charge decided to squeeze a year’s work into eight weeks.
“We have had a massive hit; it has absolutely killed us.”
Mr Howell said that he full supported Mr Waligora’s call for a gesture of help from the powers-that-be.
“I think it should perhaps be a discount off our rates, which have doubled in the past five years,” she said.
Charlie Van De Ruyter owns Manoush Boutique in Grands Vaux.
She said: “We are a new business, which opened in March, so we spent a lot of money on advertising to raise our profile but then the road closed and customers couldn’t easily get to us.
“We are a ladies’ fashion boutique so the summer months are important but the road works had a huge impact; it has been awful.
“If we didn’t have another part of the business, we would not have survived. We obviously still have rent to pay and a lot of stock to sell.”
She added: “Along with all businesses in Grands Vaux, we’re trying to rebuild a community spirit here; we used to have a newsagent and a hairdressers but firms like ours are now investing in the area.
“It’s been horrendous, and I can’t say I feel particularly relieved that the road is now open. I agree that the Government should make a meaningful gesture to affected businesses.”
