Norfolk corner shop hit by two-month road closure for water works

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

A 68-day closure of Alexandra Road in Norfolk to allow Anglian Water to upgrade lead water pipes has significantly reduced business at Premier Express.

Norfolk County Council closed Alexandra Road, just off Earlham Road, on September 7 to allow Anglian Water to upgrade ageing lead water pipes beneath the street. The 68-day closure has significantly impacted Premier Express, a corner shop on the road that receives daily milk deliveries and serves as a busy parcel collection hub.

Manager Mathavan Sivakurunathan said the roadworks have substantially reduced business. He described it as 'the biggest closure I have seen' in his four years as manager, and reported that customers who drive to the store have been turned away while delivery drivers are forced to park further up the road. He said: 'We have lost a lot of our customers who drive to the store, and I have seen a drop in our profits.' The store owner may put in a claim for compensation to Anglian Water following the disruption.

Anglian Water engineers have installed safety barriers to protect overhead telecommunications cables from accidental contact by machinery on site. A spokesman from the water firm said a full road closure was required to protect the safety of contractors and the public, adding: 'We understand roadworks can be disruptive. We would like to thank locals and businesses for their patience while our teams carry out important upgrades.'

How it is being reported

• Corner shop boss says two-month closure of busy road has hammered businessThe manager of Premier Express in Alexandra Road said deliveries and profits have been impacted for nearly two months due to Anglian Water works.Eastern Daily Press · 22 Oct, 06:00
• Corner shop boss says two-month closure of busy road has hammered businessThe manager of Premier Express in Alexandra Road said deliveries and profits have been impacted for nearly two months due to Anglian Water works.Norwich Evening News · 22 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Premier Express · Mathavan Sivakurunathan · Anglian Water · Norfolk County Council · Alexandra Road · Norfolk

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem