Roadworks are killing Cockermouth town centre

The county council this week drew up a revised timeline for the work, stating that it was now due to finish on March 31 – four weeks behind the original schedule.

The revised timetable was issued after Workington MP Sue Hayman stepped in, calling for the process to be speeded up.

No work has taken place on Main Street since it was cordoned off more than a month ago. Any contractors have been on High Sand Lane, where they have been completing drainage work and resurfacing.

The council has now pledged that extra resources will be brought in and work done at weekends to speed up the process.

Jonty Chippendale, owner of The Toy Shop on Main Street, said: “This is killing trade and bringing businesses to their knees.

“When they say they will be finished, does that mean they won’t be coming back to do any more work, in which case that would be positive? Does finished mean an absolutely firm date they’re not going to break or is it just another in a long line of dates?

“I was at a chamber of trade meeting this week where some shopkeepers were reduced to tears. We feel the contractors and county council do not care and will not do anything to resolve the problems.

“If the situation persists to Easter the damage may be irreparable.”

Victoria Robinson, of Wishes, on Main Street, said: “Trade is hugely down. All of the traders are incredibly upset and feeling hard hit.

“We are at risk of losing our Main Street. We are all feeling under threat.

“It’s awful that this combination of terrible planning and roadworks could take the heart out of the town.

“The county council needs to be honest. They never tell us anything.”

Eric Nicholson, a town and county councillor, said: “I know there are staffing issues.

“The amount of space they are using on Main Street when they are doing no work there at the moment seems massively over the top.

“I tried to influence them but had no effect.”

Mrs Hayman spoke to Keith Little, the county council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, this week. He then worked with the contractors to see if work could be done more quickly.

Some traders have written to their county councillors and officers, highlighting the problems.

William and Elaine Myers, who own Let’s Write, on Main Street, said: “For our sake and for the survival of many other small businesses in the town we implore you to urgently resolve the prevailing issues with these current roadworks and bring them to a swift and final conclusion.”

Sara Hewitson, of Country Clothing, on Station Street, wrote: “The footfall in town is the lowest I have ever seen it in five years of trading.

“I’m not sure how much longer businesses in town can keep hanging in there after years of this same problem rattling on and dragging the town down.”

A county council spokesman said: “Cumbria County Council fully acknowledges the impact on local businesses and the inconvenience for residents caused by the ongoing difficulties with highway works in High Sand Lane and Main Street.

“There have been setbacks with the works below ground level and these have contributed to the delays.

“Notwithstanding, the council is far from satisfied with the level of progress.

“Discussions have been held with the contractor in an effort to improve productivity and the level of general performance.

“As a result, a new and revised delivery programme was approved yesterday.

“This is still longer than we would like, and efforts will be made to ensure the contractor completes the work sooner if possible.