A Perthshire business owner says she may need to pay staff off due to the impact from work on a nearby level crossing.
Cara Mackay is the second generation of her family to run Gillies and Mackay, a shed building business in Errol.
Network Rail plan to start drainage work at a level crossing near Cara’s store on Saturday, the same day the business normally runs its annual sale.
And Cara fears the work and associated traffic impact could have major consequences for her business.
The level crossing, one of a few in Scotland still manually operated, will be closed from 4am on Saturday and re-open at 10am on Sunday.
Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Glasgow and Dundee.
Cara says road signs for the work near the A90 will turn potential customers away as they appear to show the businesses are closed.
She says it is vital the sale day is a success to see her through Christmas and is calling for the date of the work to be moved.
The work being done on Saturday and into Sunday morning is routine and the level crossing is shut periodically, something Cara accepts.
In previous years she has put her own signs out but believes drivers are more likely to obey official council signs instead.
Cara, who lives in Dundee, said: “They used to put up road closed signs at the flyover just as you come down from the dual carriageway [A90] and another closer to the level crossing.
“They make it look like the road is completely closed with nothing to say the businesses are open too, customers need to know we are still operating.
“Having the road closed on sale day is really frustrating for us. It’ll put people off wanting to come this way.
“It’s on the same day as our sale which only takes place one day a year.
“We hold it so we can survive through the Christmas shut down. To help us pay everyone’s holiday pay and wages through the festive period.
“It’s the most important weekend of the business’ year and is crucial it’s a success.
“And it’s not just me, the other businesses nearby are going to be affected too.
“We are all no where near the level crossing and are still fully accessible.”
‘No consideration for us’
She says that if the sale is not successful, the worst case scenario could see her needing to lay off some of her 20 staff.
She has called for the date to be changed and asks to be consulted in the future on when the work will take place.
The 34-year-old mum of two said: “Network Rail and council make no consideration for local businesses.
“I feel like there should be consideration for businesses and we should be consulted considering the impact on us.
“We’ve no idea how bad the impact will be until the day but want it sorted by then.”
Local councillor Alasdair Bailey, who Cara has spoken to about the issue, said: “I’ve helped business owners there by ensuring that Network Rail will put up signs to make it clear that their businesses are still accessible from the A90 even when the works are in progress.
“Network Rail has statutory powers to close the road at the railway crossing when it needs to and the council can only stop that from happening if, for example, another company or the council itself plans works on the diversionary route which would mean folk would end up going around in circles.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The drainage work we’re completing at Errol level crossing is essential to keeping the network safe and reliable.
“Due to the nature of these works, we need to temporarily close the level crossing to road users and we’d like to thank all passengers and lineside neighbours for their patience and understanding during this time.”
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