by Anna Edwards

anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk

Thornton Heath is drowning in roadworks, and local businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

Southern Gas' five-month project to replace gas lines in Whitehorse Lane, Woodville Road and the High Street began on April 6, with traffic having to re-route and single file lanes being enforced.

In the month that has passed several businesses say they have seen sales slump because of the nuisance roadworks.

Mohammed Shafiq, manager of J and J Halal Butchers, in the High Street, said: "We've been here about eight years, but even though we're an established business we're finding it very hard.

"There's lots of queues and our customers want to go elsewhere because of it.

"Thornton Heath is now very quiet, and all the businesses – a lot of them family ones – are losing profit and regular customers.

"It's very disappointing, and there's nothing you can do because it's going to go on for months."

Ali Javaid manages Zenith Halal Butchers in the High Street, which has been open for 14 years, and he too is suffering.

He said: "This is the worst time we've ever seen as a business. People used to come to us from Peckham and Brixton.

"But now people don't want to have to sit in traffic for 45 minutes when the journey used to only take 10 minutes.

"It's very upsetting, why did they have to block off all the roads? Why not do a portion at a time?"

Peter Stringfellow, from solicitors E and J Law LLP, on the High Street, says the roadworks are a complete mess.

He said: "It's horrendous, an absolute nightmare. The biggest problem is getting in and out of work.

"There are a lot of roadworks in a small, busy area and it's causing trouble for everyone.

"People are having to use smaller back roads, which are not made for this level of traffic."

Jason Grant, district centre manager for Thornton Heath, agrees that business is being hindered by the roadworks.

He said: "A lot of the butcher's along the High Street are the busiest businesses and even they are suffering now simply because people are avoiding the area.

"It's very detrimental. This is something they want done as quickly as possible, but it's due to go on until September."

Long running gas works are also taking place in Selsdon, and last week the Advertiser told how businesses there were suffering too.

A Southern Gas spokesman said: "It is necessary to implement temporary traffic controls in the vicinity of our work and advance-warning and diversion signs were given.

"These are necessary renewals."