‘We are still open’ says chippie boss as sewer pipe works turn Hereson Road into a ‘ghost town’

Barriers at the top and bottom ends of Hereson Road while sewer pipe works are carried out are in place to stop HGVs but access for residents and to businesses is still open.

The  restricted road widths and diversion signs have deterred drivers from using the road despite work being undertaken in sections over the next three months, meaning trade has come to a virtual halt for businesses including the Texaco garage and The Golden Fish Bar.

The chippie, run by Engin and son Enis, has been trading in Hereson Road for 15 years but the closure has hit the business hard.

Enis said: “It is like a ghost town. January is a quiet month anyway but with the road closed at the top and at the other end and the diversions everybody is avoiding coming this way.

“Lots of people think the road is closed all the way along but they can drive down here. Our business has been hit quite badly. I don’t think it has ever been as quiet as this and the closures are in place until April.”

Dad Engin added: “It has been terrible.”

Across the road the Texaco garage has also been hit with no customers in sight and the road empty of traffic when The Isle of Thanet News visited last night (January 14).

Enis said he has requested better signage to make sure people realise businesses are open. This is signed at each end but not where barriers are along the stretch, such as by Ramsgate garden Centre.

The Golden Fish Bar is also still running its takeaway deliveries. Call 01843 595877.

The works are due to finish on April 2. Hereson Road is closed in sections working northwards from the junction with Thanet Road.

Sewer upgrade

Southern Water spokesman Simon Fluendy said: ““Our working sites have been set up to ensure that we can maintain access for residents and businesses as we move along Hereson Road, Ramsgate.

“But this means there is restricted road width in places, signage has been located at either end of the road to prevent larger vehicles and HGVs using the road and becoming stuck where the width reduces.

“The work to upgrade the sewers and manholes in Hereson Road is part of a wider £30m investment to ensure the sewers in Ramsgate and Broadstairs are fit for the future. We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we complete these upgrades. “

Loop diversions

Stagecoach will operate a diversion during the closure.

LOOP, 9X, 933, 939 & 946 services will be diverted via Montefiore Avenue, Dumpton Park Drive, Thanet Road and Victoria Parade. There will be no service on Hereson Road, King Street or Plains of Waterloo

Roadwork phases

Phase A – Hereson Road closed between and including the junctions with Thanet Road and Honeysuckle Road, Dane Park Road and Lilian Road will be closed at the junctions with Hereson Road

Phase B – Hereson Road closed between and including the junctions with Cecilia Road and St George’s Road

Phase C – Hereson Road closed between and including the junctions with St Andrew’s Road and St Patrick’s Road Cornwall Close closed at the junction with Hereson Road

Phase D – Hereson Road closed between and including the junctions with Muir Road and St David’s Road.

The alternative routes for through traffic are: Light vehicles only via Victoria Road, Bellevue Road, Dumpton Park Drive and Montefiore Avenue Larger vehicles and HGVs etc via A255 Boundary Road, A254 Margate Road, Pysons Road, Bromstone Road and A255 Ramsgate Road.

For roads that are closed at their junctions with Hereson Road, access will continue to be maintained from their alternative junctions.

For those roads that are cul-de-sacs, access will be maintained, but subject to delays.

Local access to the remainder of A255 Hereson Road continues from either direction up to where the road is actually closed at any time, but there will be no through access during the works. There will be times when the closures are lifted, with traffic controlled by temporary traffic lights.