The owner of a petrol station in Burnham-On-Sea is seeking compensation from Wessex Water after seeing his trade plummet by 66% this week during the ongoing closure of Berrow Road due to sewer repairs.
Gordon Reason, pictured, says trade at his Texaco garage has “suffered tremendously” during the roadworks, which started on Monday and are scheduled to finish on February 17th.
“We’ve seen petrol and shop sales at just 33% of what we’d normally expect – the road closure has had a huge impact,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“It will be even worse over the weekend and into next week when we’d usually expect to see extra half-term holiday customers on their way to and from Brean. We do intend to pursue compensation from Wessex Water for this work.”
He added: “It’s almost unbelievable that once the water works are finished, we’ll see more disruption here when a new pedestrian crossing built in the same area of Berrow Road, although fortunately there won’t be a road closure – that work begins on 23rd February.”
A 22-metre long stretch of Berrow Road, near the junction with Golf Links Road, has shut and motorists are being directed along a nine-mile diversion route around East Brent and Brent Knoll instead during the work.
A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “This essential work is being carried out to divert a surface water sewer and protect properties from flooding. We appreciate Berrow Road is a main road through Burnham-On-Sea and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The closure has been criticised by other local residents, businesses and motorists, with Berrow Parish Council airing its concerns.
