City centre shop trade being 'killed' by Dundee waterfront roadworks
Shops in Dundee city centre are being ''crucified'' by roadworks, according to a local trader.
- Published in the Courier : 03.10.11
- Published online : 03.10.11 @ 04.53pm
Paul Swadzba, of the Kilt Hire Company, said the store in Union Street has seen takings fall by 75% since the road was closed completely two weeks ago.
''It's like a ghost town in the street. They have actually killed retail,'' he claimed.
Mr Swadzba said that on some days last week takings were not even enough to cover wages.
''A very similar thing happened to our shop in Edinburgh when the council planked down tram lines and closed the road,'' he said. ''People want to be able to drive past and see the shop and park their cars.
''We also have problems with deliveries. The van is having to park in the next street and it is really not practical.''
Mr Swadzba said he had understood that one-way traffic was to be allowed into the street during the work and that had been the case until very recently.
''Now no traffic is allowed in at all — it is just completely blocked off.''
He added: ''We have lived through the downturn for X months and years and we have moved to a smaller shop, and now this.''
The Union Street works are part of the wider Dundee Waterfront regeneration.
A city council spokesman said that, although the roadworks will not be completely finished until later in the month, the total closure of Union Street will be lifted on Wednesday morning.
08.34am - 04.10.2011 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
ive stoppd going in to dundee all together now due to the mess being caused by the roadworks and all the other work for the so called improvements, fed up of all the traffic lights too, its easier to go elsewhere. good luck to the traders who are suffering, hope your rates are cut for your trouble
10.28am - 04.10.2011 Kenny - Forfar, Scotland Report This
I have never thought as Dundee being traffic friendly. From the forest of lights at Claypotts to the mess at the Forfar Road/ Kingsway junction. I believe, that you could drive on Dual Carriage/Motorway from Aberdeen to London without meeting a traffic light, apart from in Dundee. ???
11.02am - 04.10.2011 gnasher - dundee, angus Report This
Now that there isn't so much traffic going into dundee I go into town much more often!!
11.23am - 04.10.2011 AJ - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I agree Kenny, it's not the best. The strange, terrible driving standard here doesn't help either. The lights on the Kway are better than the insane double roundabout that was there before though, but have seen people go through red due to confusion. Dangerous.
11.42am - 04.10.2011 Steve - Monifieth, Scotland Report This
The Dundee planners are unable to think of traffic control that does not involve traffic lights. They keep springing up everywhere and achieve nothing. They induce excessive delays, cause polution and frustration for drivers and people waiting to cross the road because they delay pedestrians too !!
01.29pm - 04.10.2011 Muscleguy - Broughty Ferry, Scotland Report This
The works have had zero impact on my use of Dundee city centre of late. Because I use the bus. It's not exactly rocket science.
02.42pm - 04.10.2011 Muscleguy - Broughty Ferry, Scotland Report This
@Steve - Monifieth, Dundee is chock full of roundabouts. You cannot drive from Monifieth into the city without encountering at least one. So I don't know what you are on. Complain about Angus installing a new set in Monfieth High St why don't you?
04.07pm - 04.10.2011 SM - Dundee, UK Report This
@ Muscleguy - lol Zero impact here too. I'm guessing there is an agenda at work here. Pour les critiques - these works are crucial. Make use of later closing. Make use of buses.
08.29am - 05.10.2011 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
muscleguy i cant believe your complaining about 1 set in monifieth. dundee is full of traffic lights, 4 sets at claypotts, 4 sets at forfar rd, 1 set down at morrisons, 8 sets on dundee road from matalan to the train station - WHY? its not traffic management, its causing congestion unnecessarily
08.32am - 05.10.2011 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
these junctions are busy at peak times but thats only accounts for 3 or 4 hours a day... what about the other 20 hours a day they arent busy? all it does is cause congestion - traffic management is about getting it moving, not holding it up. i guess you havent tried getting a bus with young family?
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