STRUGGLING traders in Chard have blasted “ridiculous” ongoing roadworks as they face another fortnight of plummeting trade.

Workers have been digging up Fore Street since March 2 as Western Power Distribution contractors lay cables for a new solar farm on Snowdon Hill.

Traders in the town were given fore-warning about the works but a number of businesses have told The News they did not anticipate such a detrimental impact.

Chard & Ilminster News:

Long stretches of the A30 through the centre of the town have been surrounded by metal mesh fencing, which traders say prohibits shoppers from easily navigating the high street.

Teresa Welch from Dove Tails said: “They are an absolute pain in the neck – it’s definitely affecting our business. With us, people just see the shop as they are walking through and say ‘let’s go in here’ but they can’t do that.

“With the big metal fences, no-one is going to go all the way down the other side of the street, cross and then come back up just to come and see us.

“Friday last week was dead and it’s normally really busy, people aren’t going to mess about with the roadworks, they are just going to go home and have a cup of tea.

“I am thinking of how I can write or complain because it is affecting us so much. We are a little business that’s only been here a year, and we struggle as it is, but this time of year should be when we start picking up after Christmas.”

Chard & Ilminster News:

Cath Ollerhead, of Best Wishes, says she has been equally cut off by the fencing.

She said: “They are absolutely ridiculous. We had a letter saying there would be minimal disruption and that parking bays would be out of service.

“They have been outside for about three weeks now. The team up at Snowdon Hill seems to be working all the time but the important set of roadworks in the town centre seem to be taking place sporadically – and all for a solar farm that we will get nothing from.

“The problem is people can’t just pull in and delivery drivers are having awful trouble. They seem to be doing it in large stretches from the top to the bottom with these big metal fences, we are suffering and we will get no compensation.”

Chard & Ilminster News:

The work is not set to finish until May but will continue to edge its way down towards Millfield along the A30.

Kel Hoare, from Store TwentyOne, added: “We have suffered a massive drop in trade – it’s having a huge impact.

“People would normally pull up and run in but that just can’t happen and it’s definitely affected our trade.

“We are in half-term now and it’s quiet – but what can you do? I don’t think any of us were quite aware just how disruptive they would be.”

A Western Power Distribution spokesman said: “By the very nature of the work, there will be an element of disruption for which we apologise. Our contractors make every effort to keep this to a minimum.

“The roadworks are due to a new high voltage supply for a solar farm on Snowdon Hill.

“This is ongoing works and it commenced on the March 2 and will finish on the May 10 but will be clear of the centre by April 15. The work is to go through the A30 to Millfield. “