Businesses trade in anger at decision to close high street

RETAILERS are furious at a council decision to close a busy shopping street which is already struggling due to nearby roadworks.

Traders on Portobello High Street fear for their takings after the council revealed that the main road is expected to close for six weeks at the end of this month.

The closure will allow workers to complete the final stage of a 2 million project to replace the Seafield roundabout, at the end of the High Street.

"It was recently decided that it would be unsafe to carry out the work while the road was open.

Businesswoman Carol Imato, owner of Get Creative craft shop, said: "It's bad what the council is doing. It just does not seem to be bothered about local businesses at all."

Project works at the roundabout – running two weeks behind schedule – are already causing extensive delays in the area, with signs scattered across the city warning motorists that they must find alternative routes to their destination.

In already tough trading conditions, retailers believe that the closure of the High Street will cause further trouble for their balance books.

Joe Findlay, owner of Findlays the Butcher, said: "There are signs all over Edinburgh, and as far as Tranent and Prestonpans, saying not to come to Portobello. Once the High Street is closed, the situation is going to be even worse for businesses.

"We get a lot of trade from people outside the area, and from East Lothian, and this is what is concerning us. The closure could put people off from coming."

An official closing date for the High Street is yet to be announced, but officers have confirmed that the road will shut at the roundabout, allowing workers to safely carry out the remainder of the project. Residential access will be maintained.

Traffic heading for the city – including buses – will be diverted at Fishwives Causeway, through the Baileyfield Industrial Estate to its junction with Sir Harry Lauder Road.

Letters advising of the closure were issued to householders this week. But traders hit out at the council for what they consider to be its failure to keep them informed of everything that was happening, claiming that only "word of mouth" allowed them to hear the latest developments.

Mr Findlay told the Evening News: "We have never been told about this, or consulted. We should be seen as a priority."

Traders also criticised the closure's timing. They say the work could have been carried out on Sundays or overnight.

Bernard Gillard, owner of BG Cycles, said: "And to do it just before Christmas? It's the worst possible timing."

Portobello Labour councillor Maureen Child urged householders to rally round traders by continuing to shop on the High Street during the closure.

But she stressed the importance of making sure that the remaining roundabout works were carried out safely for workers and passers-by.

A spokesman for Edinburgh City Council said: "The first phase of the roadworks was completed four weeks early but then the temporary traffic signals intended to help keep all five roads open didn't work as well as we had hoped. Given the lengthy delays and serious safety concerns we decided, after consulting Lothian Buses and the police, that the safest way to finish the work was to close Portobello High Street to through traffic."