VOTE: No financial respite for companies crippled by roadworks

Serious concerns have emerged after developers Berkeley Homes said it would not be paying any compensation to Bersted companies which have been hard-hit since a widely-criticised, four-way traffic light system was installed in February.

The three-month works have caused severe disruption for commuters and businesses alike as traffic struggles through gridlocked conditions on the A259 during peak times.

Criticism has been levelled at contractors operating the site for not introducing road diversions, which many believe would have prevented the situation of more than doubling journey times between Bognor and Chichester.

According to one trader, Sonny Athwal of Shop Around the Clock, his company has been hit so hard by the works he faces being financially crippled.

He said: "I've been losing tens of thousands of pounds because of these works which is a phenomenal amount of money to sustain.

"We were not told of their schedule and we have been left like an island now with customers unable to get to us.

"We've had to let two part-time staff go already because of this and the remaining staff just don't know how many hours they are going to get because of the situation."

Mr Athwal added he had been told by West Sussex County Council that Berkeley Homes would be liable for compensation claims.

Janet Cattermole, landlady of the Royal Oak (Pink) Pub said: "Initially the developers closed half of our car park and many people didn't realise we were still open.

"We've nothing against the people doing the work, but our trade has been down 20 per cent and we are struggling. There may be some extra trade coming from the new development but that won't be for at least a year.

"We need to survive in the meantime, but right now, we are just not getting the passing trade as people just won't stop with these lights."

Joanna Rogerson, who operates Hair Cuts in Brazwick Avenue, described the situation as a nightmare as her business takings were down by 50 per cent.

"Most of my customers come from out of the area, but are not making appointments until after the works are finished. I received a letter from Berkeley Homes which said it would not be paying compensation. The situation has already caused road rage incidents and I feel very strongly they should be offering businesses compensation."

Bersted councillor Simon McDougall, who has campaigned against over-development at Site 6, shared their concerns.

He said: "There are businesses who are starting to lose a lot of money over this. These works, although necessary, are causing quite substantial delays and a journey that should take about 20 minutes between Bognor and Chichester can now take up to 55 minutes."

Berkeley Homes has already come under fire over its 11th-hour plans to controversially increase the number of properties on the site by 100 '“ to a total of 750.

Its original plans submitted to Arun were for a development of 300 homes, which many Bersted residents believed was a far more appropriate level of development.

The company was approached for comment on whether it would reconsider paying compensation and if it could have handled the traffic lights more effectively, but it refused to respond to the Observer's requests.

What do you think? Send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click here to add yourself to our readers' map.