“I don't know anything about this particular situation, but it seems likely that it's a county council scheme, as it involves the public highway. You should email them and ask them what they think they're doing: highways@gloucestershire.gov.uk”

“getting ready for a one way system?”

“You get what you vote in.
If you did not vote then shut up!”

“I did vote but not for this lot! in Tewkesbury”

“A fellow High street trader wrote in recently to express all our concerns over the incredibly damaging and unneccessary High St roadworks.

He was rewarded for his efforts with a visiit from the mayor, [ He's the bloke that wanders around the town in a Man U top with a stick ] the mayor felt he had to defend the councils manic decision, his answer to the points made was to say '' You wait till the High St has its new coloured tarmac coating, that will bring you in loads more custom '' !!![Yellow brick road ?]

Nothing could sum up the calibre of the councils business acumen better.

The major damage that has been caused , not only by the totally unneccssary roadworks, but more pertinantly the lack of forethought prior to the commencment of the works from the council and Glos highways to minimise the carnage.
i.e. The total lack of positive signage
The lack of any alternative FREE parking
The lack of any positive press coverage telling people the Town centre was open for business
The lack of control regarding contracters vehicles using up High St parking spaces.
The lack of consultation with High St traders to see what ideas they may have.[Insted of just paying lip-service]
I could go on.....

The council maintain the reason for all this mayhem was safety ! I have been trading in the High St for the past 4 years and have no recollection of any accidents on the High St, however, now we have the ridiculous islands down the middle of the road its odds on a major accident, anyone parking adjacent to one could easily get mown down by a lorry or bus, best case scenario door gets taken off.

So at the end of six months council induced mayhem, what have we got :

A High St considerably more dangerous than before.
The loss of a significant number of Free High St parking places.
The £250.000 wasted expenditure on a needless project. {I would be surprised if it comes within budget]
The loss of High St businesses, due to customers not coming into the town centre thanks to the roadworks.[Another one last week,and more to come]
A perception that Tewkesbury is not worth visiting because of a lack of free parking and constant roadworks.
Everyone suffering a significant drop in turnover thanks to the Lunacy !

I think the council have got their business metaphors mixed {Theres a surprise}
Insted of going for 'Blue sky thinking' they have adopted' A somewhere over the rainbow ' approach, unfortunately there won't be a pot of gold at the end of this yellow brick road , Quite the opposite , more empty shops and more people losing their living. I'm tempted to call them inept , but that would be flattery.

To end on a poaitive note, a group of independant retailers have decided to try and fight back, we intend to launch the re opening of Tewkesbury on wednesday July 4th with a 'Tewkesbury Fights Back Day' - A knight in armour galloping up the High St { Well Trotting!] to cut a ribbon outside the Town Hall to celebrate the re-birth of Tewkesbury, ably supported by loyal supporters of the Houses of York and Lancaster, with strolling minstrals as their supporting cast , hopefully lots of retailers will be offering free goodies on the day.
It would be great if the media could give us even half the coverage they manage when we have the odd spot of rain !!

John Pennington

Tewkesbury Delicatessen”