Closure could be end of the road for firm

AN independent family firm that has traded for 60 years may have to close if water works shut a nearby busy main road, owners say.

Mike and Diane Pearce have been running Ladder Hire in Harbury Road, Henleaze, for the last 35 years after taking over from Mrs Pearce's mother.

In the last few weeks they say their business has suffered after work started on replacing 100- year-old water pipes in Wellington Hill West.

But they say the situation will become a lot worse when instead of the two-way temporary traffic lights currently in place, Bristol Water fully closes a longer stretch of the road on August 20.

The work is part of the £22-million Bristol Resilience Scheme, which started last October and will see many of the city's old water pipes replaced. The couple fear they will lose passing trade and regular customers and may have to lay off staff or even close the business for good.

Mrs Pearce, 67, said: "Ours is a family business that has been running for 60 years. We understand the works need to be done but why does such a long stretch need to be closed at once?

"We ask that the water company does the work in phases – that way residents will still be able to get to their houses and we will be able to carry on trading."

The pair are being supported by Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie, who has written a letter to Bristol Water chief executive Luis Garcia. She said: "There are serious concerns raised by residents and businesses in the local neighbourhood over being able to park near their homes and access to the bus service, causing difficulties especially for the elderly. In particular the business community fear that they will effectively be 'closed off' to passing and regular trade as a result of the works."

Ms Leslie is urging the company to suspend activity until a compromise has been reached.

The Bristol Resilience Scheme, due to be finished this spring, will lay a new network of pipes that will allow Bristol Water to move water from its northern sources into the city, in the event of a loss of supply from its southern Mendip-based sources.

A Bristol Water spokeswoman said the amount of time spent in Wellington Hill West had been extended due to dense rock found underground. Gangs now needed to work in the middle of the road, which is why it needed to be shut until mid-November.

She said the company had been in talks with Mr and Mrs Pearce about compensation, but that the works were essential.

"We are very sympathetic to businesses and residents affected by the closure," she said. "We have agreed to put up extra signs and are trying to look at whether we could possibly carry out the work differently. Unfortunately the work is essential and the benefits it will bring will be long lasting."

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