Traders ‘ecstatic’ at end of roadworks on a stretch of Port Rd

AFTER two years of roadworks that have proved a “nightmare” for their businesses, Port Rd traders are “over the moon” that their pain is finally coming to an end.

AFTER two years of roadworks that have proved a “nightmare” for their businesses, Port Rd traders are “over the moon” that their pain is finally coming to an end.

Temporary fencing has been removed and trucks and machinery parked outside shops along the southern side of Port Rd between George St and South Rd have disappeared as works in that zone enter their final days.

Traders say they suffered as customers – deterred by the constant roadworks, moving trucks, heavy machinery and closed-off sections of road – found it hard to access their businesses.

But now they are looking forward to reaping the rewards from the painful process, with extra parking space built along the centre of Port Rd as part of the 4km non-stop roadworks between Torrensville and Croydon Park.

Hairdresser Anthony Ida said the disruptions caused by the $896 million project had cut business at his Port Rd Play Salon by “about half of what we would normally do”.

“It was just very hard because people can’t get a park so I can’t wait until it’s over,” he said.

During the roadworks. Picture: Tom Huntley

Flowers by Melinda owner Jodie Morrison said she was “ecstatic” about the roadworks coming to an end.

Ms Morrison bought her business in July, mainly because of the attraction of having a new road outside her premises.

But she said a lot of traders had been “very seriously affected” by the disruptions.

“We are all over the moon that very soon it will all be back to normal,” Ms Morrison said.

“We are all hoping once this carpark across from our strip of shops is back open in the next week or so people will be able to park over there again.”

My Charcoal Kebab House owner Mohammed Yusuf said the disruptions had been “annoying” for customers and traders.

“It gets rid of customers,” Mr Yusuf said.

“After they started working on the road the business went down – it was a nightmare.”

Eve’s Adult Emporium owner Doug Warren said it was tough during the height of the roadworks, when it made the outside of his shop look “ugly”.

Lanes outside his business would be cut down from three to one and customers would be “fighting” for limited parking spaces.

“It still is tough for businesses along here because there was no parking and when the roadworks were in full swing,” Mr Warren said.

“If people couldn’t find spaces they would just drive on and I have had that happen to me because parking is just really hard for them.

“It’s looking better and the stuff they have completed – such as the new lighting – looks fantastic.”

Charles Sturt councillor Paul Alexandrides, who represents the traders in the Hindmarsh ward, said businesses had “paid a huge price for this upgrade”.

Cr Alexandrides said he was in talks with the government and Charles Sturt Council about the possibility of a street party once the works were completed.

“Think they deserve as much support as we can give them,” Cr Alexandrides said.

“They have been put under a huge amount of pressure and it’s hard enough for the community to get in and out of the area and to get out and about.

“We have got to do whatever we can to keep these businesses up and running.”

The entire Port Rd project will be finished by the end of next year.