Business owners fuming over gas mains work ‘fiasco’

The pipe works on Berkhamsted High Street, which began on Monday, July 13, are renewing more than 500 metres of iron gas mains, from Cross Oak Road junction down to the junction between Kings Road and Lower Kings Road.

Naresh Govindia, of VAH DIY at 339 High Street, said: “The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

“They are blocking our car park so our customers don’t have anywhere to park when they get here.

“We don’t have the usual High Street footfall to rely on down here so it is even worse for us. We are losing a lot of trade because of it – we were £2,500 down in the second week.

“It’s a complete fiasco.

“We are not trying to wind anyone up but we have been patient enough.

“We are suffering and I have complained, but I do not seem to be getting any answers.”

The upgrade works mean the existing iron mains are being replaced with hardwearing plastic pipes in what was billed as a seven-week long project.

But four weeks have already passed and workers are still at the Northchurch end of the High Street.

As well as putting off potential shop customers, the works’ temporary traffic lights have been causing a back-up of traffic congestion in the market town.