Relief for residents as La Rochelle Road set to reopen at last
LA ROCHELLE ROAD residents are breathing a sigh of relief at news that repeated road closures will finally stop at the end of next week.
The Vale main road has faced numerous closures over the last three years – many of them lengthy.
But the end of the latest project will see a three-year embargo placed on the road, which means only emergency work can be carried out.
The news comes too late for Smugglers Stores, which suffered falling trade each time the road was shut.
The corner shop site was granted planning permission to become residential and was sold last month for £260,000.
The resurfacing project started last week.
Nearby residents have welcomed the news that this phase of roadworks will be the last for several years.
'It's always inconvenient, but I understand it needs to be done,' said Sophie Tyrrell, who has lived in the road for five years.
Her daughter attends the Grammar School, but the buses along the road have been suspended, so it is a longer walk to the bus stop.
Peter Hamon, 64, pictured, said the roadworks had not bothered him, but he was sad that the corner shop had closed.
'Everybody used to go and meet there for a chat,' he said.
