ROADWORKS that have caused traffic chaos in Grimsby for more than two months will finally be clear in less than two weeks.
A spokesman for Northern Powergrid has confirmed that roadworks on Boulevard Avenue should be clear by Sunday, April 14 – when the work is due to be complete.
Balfour Beatty workers will then be moving to nearby Moody Lane, Grimsby, where there will be further disruptions.
The spokesman did not know how long these would take but said they would be significantly shorter and less disruptive as they are only completing "minor works".
Boulevard Avenue is the main entrance from the A180 onto the West Marsh, the Willows and amenities such as Grimsby Leisure Centre and the Auditorium.
But since the beginning of February, one lane has been closed, making it impossible to exit the A180 and drive into Grimsby – as part of a £3-million scheme to upgrade three kilometres of underground power lines.
The closure has decimated many local businesses, who claim to have lost trade; bus routes have been redirected and cars have been diverted, causing traffic jams on the A180 – sometimes even at otherwise quiet periods.
Builders Merchant Jewson claimed to have lost half of its usual trade due to the roadworks.
And Lord Street News owner Vernon Bromley said they were getting 100 fewer customers a day, costing them £1,000 a week.
Mr Bromley welcomed the news that the work, due to take around ten weeks, will be complete on time – although he is still waiting to find out how it will impact his business in the long-term.
He said: "I'm hoping that my customers return when they can drive past my shop again without going in a 'round-the-houses' sort of circuit around Grimsby.
"I won't know until probably about two weeks after they have re-opened the road when people realise they can come this way again.
"I'm glad the road is going to re-open but think they should have found a different way to do it in the first place."
