Businesses in Pelaw say planned road reopening won't help

Businesses in Pelaw say reopening the road into the village won't help them recover from the loss of trade experienced since the Heworth roundabout closure.

It's been a month since the works on the roundabout closed the Pelaw turn on the Felling bypass, meaning people have to go via Hebburn to get there.

Shop owners have told us that trade has dropped considerably in the month since the works began, and compared the village to a "ghost town", with almost no passing trade.

Now Gateshead Council say they will reopen the road in to Pelaw, but drivers will still be unable to leave the village via the Heworth roundabout.

Anneliese Hutchinson, service director for Development, Transport and Public Protection, said:

“We regularly assess the works progress and we are always looking for ways to minimise disruption and congestion. We think this change in the way we work could help us save a month, though there is a lot still that could affect progress, not least the weather.

“We lost a few days last week due to the heavy snowfall, but we are working hard to catch up. We remain hopeful that repairs to the eastern part of the bridge will have been completed towards the end of March, and this should then allow us to re-open the slip from the eastbound carriageway into Pelaw.

“Re-opening the left turn in Pelaw should help bring some relief to people living and working in Pelaw and re-introduce some passing trade for local businesses.

The council also say they have a business advisor in place to help struggling businesses, and they want to start a shop local scheme in the village.