BUSINESSES will be badly hit and scores of jobs could be lost as the result of last-minute water main works being carried out in time for Liverpool One’s dramatic opening, traders said last night.
United Utilities wrote to businesses in Liverpool city centre on Friday to announce a wave of street closures taking place from today along Wood Street and Fleet Street.
The last-minute notification came after Liverpool City Council told the water company to bring forward roadworks to meet Liverpool One’s deadline.
A letter to businesses informs astonished traders and licensees: “We cannot allow any access for deliveries to any business during this period.”
Peter Jones, of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’m trying to get an emergency public meeting for businesses and everyone concerned. I’m astonished no deliveries are being allowed. Surely they can come up with some way of man- aging this that will allow busines- ses to stay open and collect their deliveries?”
Liverpool City Council, United Utilities and the chamber have pencilled in tomorrow to get to- gether and thrash out a compro- mise. But a statement by a council spokesman last night indicated there was little room for manoeuvre. He said: “We recognise how difficult this will be for businesses in the area. But it would lengthen the time it takes to complete the work if partial closures take place and it has to be done.”
A United Utilities spokeswoman admitted: “Our hands are tied here. The council asked us on Thursday to bring it forward and we’re doing everything we can to help everyone affected.”
But Joe Curran, of the Business Crime Direct group, said: “It’s completely unacceptable. I’ve got 20 premises that are very con- cerned. No-one appears to recog- nise the implications of this. You have to give traders notice of this sort of work and that has not been donehere.”
Laurel pubs area manager Stewart Draper, whose interests include The Office and Yates on Concert Square, said he was in the dark about the works until yesterday morning.
He said: “There is potential that part time staff will have to go. Normally we get notice months ahead so we can talk to suppliers and find alternatives. If they can’t park outside, then they’ll go. So we’ll have nothing to sell.”
Traders are also concerned about bin collections as large collection trucks will not be able get along the streets.
Peter Owens, at Merseyside Fire and Rescue, said an operational planning team will meet with engineers at 9.15am today to ensure no emergency exits are impeded and that the services will still have unrestricted access.
But Mr Draper said: “If the middle of the road is coming up and I’ve got 3,000 people being evacuated for any reason, or even when people leave at the end of the night, there is limitless potential for accidents or even fights to break out.”
