April 27, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
A pub landlord in Winthorpe is in crisis because ongoing roadworks mean he is losing around £3,000 a week.
Lee Bunce, of the Charnwood Tavern, Church Lane, is facing bankruptcy because work on the installation of Centrica’s wind farms, just off the Skegness coast, have meant roads surrounding his pub have been closed since November.
He said: “It’s ridiculous. I’m at breaking point and am near bankruptcy.
“We’ve had to put our hotel, the Grand Parade Hotel, Skegness, on the market because we can’t pay our bills.
“The diversion signs do not come to the pub.”
Mr Bunce has a solicitor involved but cannot get anyone to take responsibility for his loss of earnings.
He said: “I’ve tried highways, Centrica, Siemens, everyone. They are just passing the buck.”
Church Lane, Everingtons Lane and Middlemarsh, both Skegness, have been ripped up for the laying of 120km of cable since the end of last year.
Residents have been forced to go via Burgh le Marsh when trying to get into Skegness.
Roy Malt, of Everingtons Lane, said: “We have literally been under siege here since November. It’s caused a lot of disruption.”
Jonathan Fitzgerald, of the highways department, said: “Highways is in regular communication with contractors Alfred McAlpine but has no control over the work.
“We have been in discussion with the contractors to ensure access is available for the public to the very best extent possible.
“The authority is not liable for carrying out duties it is legally required to do, nor is it liable for the work of third parties.”
26 April 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/04/27/roadworks-push-landlord-to-bankruptcy/