NEWBURY’S motorists face another test today (Monday) as parts of Market Street and Cheap Street will be closed to allow for construction work on Newbury’s new cinema.
The eastbound route of Market Street will be closed after this morning’s rush hour and will remain closed for about 20 weeks.
In order to connect the new cinema with utilities, it may also be necessary to close the road in both directions for about three weeks at the end of April, but the dates are yet to be confirmed.
The last time the same roads were closed for works on the cinema, between January and March last year, the majority of south Newbury became gridlocked.
Some Greenham residents complained of hour-long delays experienced during rush hour and Newbury businesses also noted a loss of trade.
Newbury’s retailers have criticised the announcement of more roadworks, after the district council and cinema developers Alanis said last year that no more road closures were required to complete the project.
On hearing the announcement, the chairman of Newbury Retail Association, Brian Burgess, said: “I just cannot believe the further incompetence that the retailers of Newbury have to endure at the hands of West Berkshire Council.
“Just in the last few months we have had the complete pig’s breakfast which was the Robin Hood improvements and the disastrous car parking arrangements and horrendous traffic queues in the Wharf over Christmas.
“Now, we have further closures in Market Street, which will cause tremendous hardship to traders.”
Mr Burgess claimed the roadworks would deter people from coming into town and the council has advised motorists to use an alternative route via St Johns Road.
Diversion signs are in place and shops and businesses will remain open throughout.
Elsewhere, West Berkshire Council has said that road safety improvement works at Crookham Hill in Thatcham are now complete.