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Published:
January 18, 2009
Exclusive:
Highbridge town centre braced for three months of roadworks
 Businesses
in the centre of Highbridge are bracing themselves for disruption
when THREE MONTHS of major roadworks begin later this month.
Gas
mains along Church Street are due to be replaced during the work,
which will begin on January 26th and last until the end of April.
Signs
warning motorists to "expect long delays" have already
been installed in the town, as pictured, but local councillors
are concerned that not enough is being done to prevent the work
hurting the trade of local businesses.
Cllr
Janet Keen, whose council ward covers the busy road, told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"We need to get the message out that Highbridge will still
be open for business, which is especially important during the
current economic climate."
"We
need better signage from the county council to explain that shops
and businesses will still be open and accessible."
 "I
would also like to see an incentive to bring shoppers into the
town, such as free car parking in Bank Street, for the duration
of the work."
Highbridge
councillor Cllr Joe Leach told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The work
is necessary, but I would prefer it to be going ahead in several
phases, rather than all at once, to minimise any disruption. Some
businesses are struggling, so work like this is regrettable."
And
Cllr Danny Titcombe, who also represents Highbridge, said he too
is concerned about the work: "It does have to be done, but
the town should be getting better signage stressing that shops
and businesses will not be affected."
Somerset
County Council spokeswoman Jan Hookings told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"Disruption will be kept to a minimum. We don't expect the
work to have too major an impact."
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