Doncaster pub and cafe loses £4,000 in one night during ‘nightmare’ road closure by council

A village pub and cafe attracting visitors from around the UK has lost thousands of pounds due to poor roadwork signage suggesting access routes were closed, bosses have said.

‘Road Closure Ahead’ signs at the junction of Fishlake Nab and Plumbtree Hill Road near Stainforth have led customers for the Wheels Cafe in Sykehouse to believe they cannot access the business, Rosie Nagaty, who runs the cafe, has said.

This is despite the fact motorists could travel the entire length of the route uninterrupted, from Plumbtree Hill Road to the junction of Moss Lane and Flashley Carr Lane, which provides access to Sykehouse, because the road closure was near to the village of Moss.

Ms Nagaty revealed a recent ‘Bike Night’, a regular fixture at the adjoining Old George Inn Pub, was down £4,000 whilst the City of Doncaster Council’s road closure signs were up.

She said: “It’s got to a point that customers are so frustrated by it that they are not going to bother.

“Road closures, diversions and major works might be necessary but the way they are planned and communicated can have a huge impact on whether customers can actually reach us.

“I want them to listen to local businesses. I want the council to understand the very real challenges that businesses are facing and, most importantly, to consult with us before making decisions that have a direct impact on our ability to operate.

“I’m not asking the council to stop maintaining roads – but to work with us, rather than around us.”

Councillor Vicky Lawson, the local Reform UK councillor whom Ms Nagaty said her business would not have survived the last two years without, described the road closures in the area as a “flipping nightmare”.

She said the closures were “letting residents down” and local councillors were “getting it in the neck” as a result.

Dan Swaine, executive director of place at the council, said: “The road closure on Moss Lane was required to enable essential highway maintenance works including the resurfacing of the carriageway. We try to avoid closures where we can, but due to the nature of the machinery and operations involved, it was not possible to do the work under temporary traffic signals, so the road had to be closed.

“I appreciate the diversion route was lengthy, but it was chosen because it was the only suitable route in the area capable of accommodating all types of traffic safely, including HGVs and other larger vehicles.

“We value and accept the feedback we’ve had about this from local people and we recognise the impact that road closures can have on local communities and businesses. We will continue to review feedback and consider opportunities to minimise disruption where possible during future schemes.”

Reform UK’s Coun Karl Hughes, who represents Stainforth and Barnby Dun, said poor communication and signage around roadworks have cost businesses in his ward too, with some reportedly losing tens of thousands of pounds.

He said: “Whilst we all understand the need for ongoing road maintenance and repairs, we must also appreciate the financial pressures local businesses face in the current cost of living crisis.”

Coun Hughes urged any residents and businesses experiencing similar issues to contact their local councillors.