Businesses 'sealed off' by road works
TRAFFIC lights and a busy intersection won out over business opening hours this week, with at least one local operator left out of pocket.
Thursday night the intersection at the eastern side of Fitzroy and Albion Sts was closed for council to carry out repairs for the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
A Southern Downs Regional Council spokeswoman said the works were programmed at night to have minimal effects on business.
"The road closed from 9pm-3am on Friday morning," she said. "The time was extended due to come underlying issues.
"The upgrades were carried out at the request of the Department of Transport and Main Roads for traffic light signal works and for pavement failure which stopped traffic light looks from working properly."
Understanding that the intersection needed attention but not agreeing with the way it was gone about was Eagle Boys franchisee John Rye.
"I don't have a problem with the roadworks but council just needed to let us know what was happening - we didn't get a letter or a call to let us know what was happening," Mr Rye said.
"The intersection and the entrance to our shop were closed to traffic at 8.30pm when our business does not close until 10.30pm.
"So the only way for us to get out was to go left down the street and that was the only way in as well.
"If they told us we could have made arrangements to close up early and not paid staff to stand around and do nothing for two hours.
"The Indian place also closed at 10.30pm and had customers wondering how to get out."
