Darlington: Grange Road traders losing ‘hundreds’ from roadworks

Shop owners on Grange Road in Darlington town centre claim the closure of a pedestrian crossing and a lack of on-street parking in that area of town is affecting trade.

On Sunday, Darlington Borough Council began resurfacing works on the A167 Victoria Road and nearby Grange Road. 

But following reports of “depressions in the road”, work on Grange Road was delayed while investigative work was carried out.

William Gillow said he would remain open

William Gillow, owner of Geoffrey Gillow Men’s and Ladies Wear, which has traded for 52 years, criticised a lack of planning. 

He said: “No-one knows when the road will be finished.

“There has been hardly any customers, we have had three days where we have had no customers – because it is an inconvenience to customers.

“If I’d known the road was going to be closed for this long, I would have shut for the week and told my staff to take their holidays this week.”

Mr Gillow, who employs one full-time and three part-time staff members, blamed a lack of planning as original resurfacing works were being carried out on two major roads at the same time. 

He said: “We're employing staff, keeping the shop open, and not getting anything back.

“We’re right in the middle of a sale which normally is a busy time, normally it is rammed.

“I understand what they are doing is necessary, but it’s the initial decision to close two roads at the same time.

“We have now got 100 percent disruption to pedestrian and motorised traffic, causing massive inconvenience – retail on the high street is very difficult and to have this is intolerable.”

Mr Gillow also raised concerns over the closure of a pedestrian crossing linking a major supermarket and car park to the town centre. 

He said members of the public had no option but “bypass” Grange Road.

Darlington Borough Council said Northumbrian Water was now investigating and repairing the affected area under Coniscliffe Road at the junction with Grange Road.

However, resurfacing will only recommence once repair works are complete underground.

Darren Syddall has traded for 19 years

Darren Syddall, owner of Origins Coffee Lounge, said the road closures were costing businesses “hundreds of pounds each day” and claimed the road had been neglected over the years.

He said: “There has been no proper maintenance as far as I can remember apart from the council digging it up and patching it up.

"The way they have gone about it has been abysmal, shop’s are losing on average £500 a day.”

Mr Syddall said the closure of a pedestrian crossing on Victoria Road, which leads onto Grange Road, was severely hampering trade on the road.

He said: "Our road has been closed for a total of four days with no traffic – there has been no access from the other side of town and people are just dodging traffic to get here.

“I have had to stop the traffic to let one guy cross four lanes.

"There’s been people in prams trying to get across – there’s going to be an accident soon.”

In response to criticisms, Councillor Alan Marshall, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Darlington Borough Council, said: “During planned works in the area, some concerns with the Victorian sewers came to light that have needed further investigation.

“As a result, sewer repair works are underway in Blackwellgate and will be implemented in Grange Road as soon as the extent of the problem is known.

“This is a busy area of the town centre, so we will be working to keep as much access and parking available as possible.

“We understand the concerns and frustrations of businesses in the area and we are talking to them to explain what is happening.

“We will, of course, keep them fully updated as the work progresses.

“We are also working closely with Northumbrian Water to minimise the disruption.

“The planned road maintenance will be completed once Northumbrian Water has finished its repair work.”

It is understood that the remedial work may take up to ten days to complete.