Now cabbies are hit by Hungerford roadworks
Town centre taxi rank was closed, 'despite previous assurances'
TAXI drivers in Hungerford say they have been left out of pocket after the town centre taxi rank was closed during the weekend due to the ongoing roadworks.
Works to replace the old, cast iron gas main on the A338 at High Street, Bridge Street and Salisbury Road, started at the beginning of April and were originally scheduled to take nine weeks.
Businesses in the town have already reported losses of up to 50 per cent since the work started and taxi drivers have now been hit with the closure of the High Street taxi rank.
Mark Townsend, owner of 1st Direct Cars Group in Hungerford and member of West Berkshire Taxi Drivers Association, said West Berkshire Council and Wales and West Utilities, who are carrying out the works, had assured taxi drivers that the rank would remain open.
However, “There were two great mounds of earth in the taxi rank and a big trench,” he said. “We were told metal plates would be put down so we could use the taxi rank over the weekend but low and behold on Friday, when the workers went home, there was no access to the rank.
“I lost £120 in earnings over Friday and Saturday and the same goes for my four other vehicles. That would also be the same for the other taxi firms.
“Since the road works started my local trade has dropped by 40 or 50 per cent. People are just not coming into Hungerford and all traders are suffering.”
Owner of The Sugar Mouse sweet shop in the High Street, Ben Blake said the traffic problem was compounded on Saturday morning when a set of temporary traffic lights in the High Street were stolen.
He said: “It's a three way system and one of the set of lights had been stolen and another set wasn't working so it was causing a fair bit of confusion.
“The road works have been horrendous for business. My June figures were down 43 per cent.”
Spokesman for Wales and West Utilities, Gwyn Thomas, urged people not to tamper with the traffic lights. He said: “Traffic lights in place on our essential gas mains replacement work in Hungerford were tampered with over the course of the weekend. As soon as we became aware of this, we quickly arranged for the lights to be repaired and they are now once again fully operational.
“Traffic lights are essential to protect the safety of our workers and passing motorists while work such as this is ongoing. Any interference with their operation is a mindless act which could put people's safety at risk.”
West Berkshire Council spokesman, Phil Spray added: “Wales and West Utilities have told us they are working hard to meet the deadline of the end of the month. They have now resolved issues with Network Rail and significant progress is being made.
“They have agreed to put another team in to help speed things along. They have also agreed to work during this weekend, if necessary, in order to complete the work on time. They were instructed to ensure the taxi ranks would be available on Friday. We have told Wales and West that any works carried out beyond the end of the month will be at a daily charge to them.”
The bus service outside of Hungerford Town Hall is scheduled to be out of service until 5pm today, Park Street at the junction with the High Street will also be closed from 7am on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday. A diversion will be signed via the A338, Priory Road, Priory Avenue and Fairview Road.
Any queries should be addressed to Wales and West Utilities on 02920 278970 or in emergency 0800 111 999.
