CONCERNED Pulteney Street business owners and their employees have written to Greater Taree City Council to request an internal review into the upcoming reconstruction of their street, particularly the decision to complete the works in one stage.
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According to a representative of the business owners, this will mean that the road will be closed for the works' entirety and will almost certainly result in job losses as well as many other issues.
"The closure of Pulteney Street in the proposed manner will significantly disadvantage business and we are requesting an urgent internal review to resolve this matter and explore further options available, such as a staged process," the letter from the affected parties states.
The group asserts than businesses on Pulteney Street have already suffered through the reconstruction of the roundabout that links with Manning Street, when the works took much longer than anticipated and led to a significant drop in business and profits, as well as job cuts.
The closure will also mean that businesses will find it very difficult to receive new stock and goods, with nowhere for trucks or delivery vans to park, while another major concern is the limited access for emergency vehicles if there is an accident.
The group is not disputing the need for the roadworks, nor council's readiness to complete them but its members are upset that requests for the reconstruction to be done in two phases, have not been met.
"When we spoke with council about closing one side of the road and then the other, in two parts, they said that it would be more expensive and would take twice the amount of time," explained one of the affected business owners. The letter and issue will be raised by Cr Trent Jennison at the next council meeting.
