Heartsease roundabout woes for Norwich fish and chip shop

Ozgul Balcimer owns Hartlands fish and chip shop, next to the roundabout in Harvey Lane, but has been enduring a nightmare since the work started in September.

Things have got worse for the 58-year-old as well after news this month that the £4.4m project will last a month longer than expected because of "unexpected" problems with drainage.

Ozgul Balcimer says he's lost more than 75pc of his business since the roadworks started (Image: Newsquest)

This means the final phase of work is now due to start on April 13, with the council applying for a five-week permit, ending on Saturday, May 18.

Mr Balcimer, who has owned the shop since 2001, said: "My business has lost more than 75pc of its trade due to disruption caused by the roadworks.

"The road closures have completely cut off access to the front of my shop and because of the nature of my business, customers require access to the shop to make a purchase.

"The business is no longer viable.

"I've not been able to pay my mortgage for the past five months and the bank is taking legal action to evict me from my house, while I've not been able to pay the rent on the shop for the past six months and the landlord is threatening to take the shop back.

Mr Balcimer says he's at risk of losing everything if he doesn't get support in keeping the business afloat (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

"This business is my livelihood and without an income from it, I can't make a living.

"If I can't get compensation for the effect the roadworks have had on my business, I'll lose everything.

"I don't know what I'm going to do, to be honest - I'm in desperate need of help."

Mr Balcimer contacted Norfolk County Council, which is responsible for the work, to help keep his business afloat.

However in correspondence to Mr Balcimer, the county council said: "There is no legal liability to pay compensation for disruption to businesses caused by our works.

"While there can be no doubt such work is disruptive, there is no provision for local authorities or utility companies to pay compensation.

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"The basic principle is that there is no legal right to rely upon the highway to be open for passing trade which would normally follow from that open highway.

Things have only got worse for Mr Balcimer after it was recently announced the roadworks were behind schedule (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

"When carrying out work we take a balanced view as to the speed at which the work should be undertaken and the level of disruption which would be caused.

"Paramount to all this is of course public safety and the safety of the workforce."

Mr Balcimer has recruited the help of Norwich North MP, Chloe Smith. 

The Conservative MP said: "I have been in touch with Mr Balcimer about the construction work at Heartsease roundabout and helped to raise his situation with Norfolk County Council.

"Throughout recent works I’ve aimed to ensure that the business owners' concerns are heard and addressed wherever possible.

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"Many of the shops along Plumstead Road and at Harvey Lane are well-loved mainstays of the community and no one wants to see good businesses close because of important improvement works, however, the council has clearly explained their position on compensation.

The Heartsease roundabout revamp started on September 11 (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

"In December, I brought councillor Graham Plant, the county council's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, to Plumstead Road to listen to shop owners' concerns and we sorted out some better signage and other short-term issues.

"While I recognise that taxpayers' money won't necessarily stretch to compensation, I do expect Norfolk County Council to continue to help businesses and residents as much as they can throughout the construction work.

"I hope the end result of the improved roundabout will help residents, business customers and all users of the busy five-ways get around safely and efficiently."

Ozgul Balcimer outside Hartlands fish shop and where the Heartsease roundabout roadworks are placed (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

Analysis

Paying compensation for roadworks has been a contentious issue for councils and businesses for many years.

Hartlands fish and chip shop is struggling to keep the fryers on and has been told by Norfolk County Council there is no funding for them to offer compensation in such situations.

Hartlands fish shop, in Harvey Lane, Heartsease (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

In this case, Hartlands appears to have been hit the hardest since the work started in September, due to being all but cut off to traffic using Harvey Lane, other than vehicles leaving the Aldi supermarket car park.

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Mr Balcimer ultimately has to take responsibility for the decisions made in coping with the situation but the lack of support available is stark.

Authorities must carry out roadworks, it is essential, and often there is not a good time for that work to be carried out - as it will cause disruption.

But given that the £4.4m revamp has already been seen as wasted money and time by many who use it regularly, there will be plenty of sympathy for nearby businesses, particularly as the work is already set to run a month longer than planned.