While businesses operating in Quigney have welcomed the on-going upgrades to Fleet Street, they have asked that the work be completed speedily to ensure they stay afloat.
Businesses spoken to yesterday said they were running at a loss after work on the 800m stretch of road has left many without parking space for customers.
The stretch of road from the Ganteaume Crescent intersection up to the Curry Road intersection is currently undergoing major upgrades and with a sharp decline in revenue, some of the businesses have started laying off staff.
A BP filling station has laid off workers until the road construction is over as business has been slow due to the work.
Filling station owner Johan Kleyn said they had reduced shift workers while the work was underway.
They had a staff complement of 32 before the works started, working shifts of 14 to 15 people a day, 24/7. They now only have four staff members a day.
“The people from the contractor have been very accommodating, I must commend them for the job they are doing, you don’t make an omelette without breaking the egg but please they must hurry up because this is killing our businesses,” he said.
Kleyn said his monthly turnover had declined by R120000. In an earlier interview, BP manager Anna-Marie Roux said the supply of fuel to the station was interrupted on three occasions this week alone after access to the filling station was blocked.
Some establishments have had to to put up with rubble, dust and trenches in front of their premises.
Hellen Beauty Salon owner Hellen Obeng said since the road works started, her business had experienced a decline in turnover.
“Most days we sit around waiting in vain for customers because they don’t want to go through the mess.”
Obeng said she was struggling to pay for operating expenses.
“My monthly rent for this place is R8000. After paying water and electricity the total for expenses is R13000. I make way less than what I normally make these days.”
Students housed at the University of Fort Hare’s Lwandle residence are outraged at noise levels from the heavy-duty machinery working on the road.
Chuma, a first year bachelor of commerce accounting student, who declined to giver her surname said: “Our study room is right down at the ground floor level, we can’t focus because of the noise levels so you don’t see the point of studying.”
The intersections where popular drinking spot Fana’s Pub and Braai is situated are also closed. Manager Sakhumzi Kali said patrons had to park far away.
“People don’t like that and these two road closures had reduced parking options so patrons just go to easily-accessed places elsewhere.”
Buffalo City Metro spokesman Sibusiso Cindi said the road works, which started on July 25, will be finished on December 1 next year.
The R130-million tender for the work was awarded to Crossmoor Transport Plant by the BCM council. Cindi said only 8% of the work has been covered at this stage. — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za