THE HIGHGATE Highways Agency has received a record number of complaints, it emerged today, following the resumption of roadworks on the Swain’s Lane roundabout.
The scheme which involved input from local businesses and residents, has been ongoing since the beginning of January.
But despite initially being scheduled to end last month, due to a delay in shipping over materials, the project is now expected to continue for at least another two months.
Business owners claim the project has already hit them hard due to the nearby car park being closed off, and local residents have been up in arms over the noise and disruption the works are causing.
Simon Price, owner of Meg’s News, said: “They’re chopping and changing their plans every minute. We’re losing out on business – people aren’t able to come into the shops because of the roadworks. And on top of that, our business rates have just been put up by 40%.
“It’s just another case of small businesses being made to suffer.”
Nicola Doyle, the manager of The Duke of St.Albans, said: “It’s a project that involves us all. But what we were told in the beginning about the project has now changed, and I think we have all been misinformed.
“We were told it would be finished by the end of March, ready for the Easter season, and now we’ve been told it will be carrying on for another eight weeks, and we have two bank holidays during that time.
“With businesses in Archway closing left, right and centre, we’re becoming very concerned.”
Dave Morris, owner of a local florist, said: “Last weekend, business for me was down 400%. Last week I opened Monday to Friday and we didn’t have enough money to pay the staff.
“There’s no point in me opening during the week, especially since they’ve closed the car park for the past two weeks.
“They’re drilling three metres away from the building. You can’t open the doors because the noise is terrible and the dust keeps blowing in. It’s very difficult.
“They can’t tell us when it will be finished, but it won’t be for quite a few weeks. That takes us into the summer season, and that’s where the money is.”
He added the workers were doing their best, but his only hope would be to try and make money at weekends.
A spokesman from The Highways Authority said: “The Swain’s Lane scheme was developed in order to improve the surrounding area for the developing businesses and provide a more attractive vista for visitors.
“Unfortunately the scheme has been delayed due to late delivery of materials at no fault of the contractor or the County Council. In order to minimise this delay alternative materials have been sourced and extra resources brought on to site.
“The council has also asked the Valuation Office Agency to send Business Rate appeal forms to the five affected business premises.”
