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Published:
April 3, 2009
Exclusive:
Highbridge traders' anger over roadworks 'compensation'
Angry
businesses in Highbridge have hit out at Sedgemoor District Council's
financial help following months of disruptive roadworks after
several firms received cheques of just £20 and less.
Months
of work to replace gas mains along Church Street started in January,
causing endless traffic queues and severely denting the trade
of nearby businesses - as first
reported here by Burnham-On-Sea.com.
The
matter was taken up with Sedgemoor's Revenues Team, who announced
on Wednesday that a 'solution' had been found.
 The
Valuation Office confirmed that the disruption caused by the roadworks
was "sufficient to warrant a temporary reduction in the Rateable
Value of properties affected, " said district council spokeswoman
Claire Faun.
She
added: "The
Valuation Officer will process these reductions shortly, which
will enable Sedgemoor District Council to issue revised Business
Rate bills to the affected traders."
However,
Russell Chedzoy of Bay Tree Upholstery in Church Street, pictured
above, was amazed to receive a cheque for just £20.38.
"It
certainly doesn't compensate us for the months of problems we've
endured," he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
And
Jane Brooks of Skidmarx cycle shop in Church Street told us: "We've
received just £14, which hardly compensates for all the
disruption and loss of trade."
"We think the council should be ashamed for not highlighting
that we have received such a small amount."
Meanwhile,
Sedgemoor District Council stressed that it only processes the
administration of the claims and has no control over the amount
of claims, which it says is overseen by the Valuation Office.
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