Business owners in Barber Street are concerned about what the closure of New Street for six months will mean for profits.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) plans to close the main thoroughfare while the new Gunnedah bridge is being built.
The closure of New Street will mean there is only one way into Barber Street, and regular passing traffic will be diverted to the Marquis Street railway crossing.
READ ALSO:
Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital's David Amos is just one of many business owners who is concerned about what the reduced traffic flow on Barber Street will mean for his business.
Mr Amos has contacted both the RMS and Daracon to voice his worries, but believes he was not heard at all.
"They came and said 'We understand that you don't like it, but this is what's going to happen, and bad luck'," Mr Amos said.
"They seem to be pretty well decided that they're going to just go ahead. They really have no intention of actually listening to concerns people raise.
"It's unfortunate, but we're basically just collateral damage."
Transport for NSW's northern region director Anna Andrews said the RMS was "actively working with all businesses who have directly raised concerns".
"During the development phase for this project, the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and various community updates from 2014 onwards have outlined that the New Street crossing would be permanently closed upon project completion. The REF also stated that New and View streets would be closed temporarily during construction," Ms Andrews said.
"We are currently finalising arrangements for the upcoming New Street closure and will advise the community when it's implemented."
Gunnedah Hire Service's owner Jo Wettenhall said business was "already quiet enough" and the long closure was "going to hurt a lot".
"That's why we're all here, for the position. We're used to that passing trade for people to drive by and impulse-buy," Ms Wettenhall said.
"It's going to get messy."
Mr Amos said the RMS had offered to create a sign "about two-thirds the size of a door" to bring motorists back into Barber Street during the works.
"They offered us a sign ... which says something like 'businesses this way' on the top and with little things saying 'Gunnedah Hire Services', or 'JA Berry', that you couldn't read until you were standing there looking at it, not driving past," he said.
"You're just not going to see it. It's a bit of an insult, putting up a sign and thinking it will compensate for everything."
The veterinarian said an alternative would be to shut New Street for a few days at a time.
"I'm of the view that the long-term closures are being done for their convenience, not because they absolutely have to," he said.
"I reckon on crunch times they could do some night work or weekend work, and they could have short-term closures. Sure, close it for a few days here and there, and put down some concrete and let it cure, and then open the other side or whatever.
"I think, in the longer term, people are creatures of habit. They get used to ... going down [Marquis St], so when [the bridge] does open, a lot of traffic won't go down New Street and into Barber Street."
But Ms Andrews said the long closure "was the only viable option" for the project after numerous investigations.
"The outcome of these investigations indicated the current program is, on balance, the most appropriate solution when considering community, business, network and project impacts," she said.
"In particular, impacts to neighbouring residents resulting from additional working hours, including noise and lighting. Out of hours work would significantly impact on neighbouring residents."
She encouraged any concerned business owners who had not yet spoken to the RMS to call the project team directly on the toll-free number 1800 029 585.
