DRD criticised over botched signs

DRD criticised over botched signs

30 July 2014

RED-faced Roads Service officials have been forced to apologise after signs were erected incorrectly stating that Saintfield’s Main Street would be closed during a major resurfacing scheme.

Work on the five-week project started on Monday and members of the town’s business community are angry that shoppers and visitors to the town have been misinformed.

Electronic signs on all the main approach roads into Saintfield and signs in the town centre itself which were erected two weeks ago warning motorists that Main Street would be closed during work on the £200,000 scheme. However, only one lane is being closed during the resurfacing of a stretch between the Downpatrick Road junction and the Northern Bank corner.

Traders say the message must go out that “Saintfield is open for business” and hope the incorrect signs will be amended to dissuade shoppers from by-passing the town and taking their custom elsewhere.

Traders John Marshall, Graeme Cole and Julian Marshall say many people mistakenly believe the town centre will be closed, warning of the potential consequences this has for everyone in business.

“This is a hard time for local businesses and from my point of view, my shop usually generates 30 per cent of its annual turnover during the next five weeks with back to school trade. The message must go out to the public that Saintfield Main Street is open,” declared John Marshall.

“This is a major time for many local businesses who are already struggling as it is. Customers think Main Street will be closed and they need to hear that it isn’t. If they think the road is closed they will go elsewhere and that’s something none of the traders want to see.”

Mr. Marshall said once people go elsewhere for items such as school uniforms they have “broken the mould” and may not keep supporting traders in Saintfield.

Graeme Cole, of Hazel’s Newsagents which is located on the stretch of road scheduled to be resurfaced, said many of his customers are asking how he will cope when Main Street is “closed.”

He declared: “The signs which have been erected are wrong and this misinformation has obvious consequences for town centre businesses. There is nothing more we can do other than hope the signs will be amended and get the message out there that the Saintfield is open for business and that Main Street won’t be closing.

“The Twelfth fortnight can be quiet for businesses and we always hope things will pick up after this period. But we now have to contend with signs telling people that part of the the main road through the heart of the town is closed when it isn’t.”

Julian Marshall said the that last thing businesses which have “suffered the nightmare of the recession” need is for the public to be told a main road will be closed when it won’t be adding: “It’s critical the incorrect signs which have been erected are changed as quickly as possible.”

A Roads Service spokeswoman confirmed the various signs which have been erected in advance of the resurfacing scheme getting underway in Saintfield are wrong.

She added: “The signs are incorrect and will be corrected as soon as practically possible. We apologise for any confusion this may have caused.”