Hundreds of businesses called to help minimise major roadworks disruptions

More than 200 business affected by a major roadworks project will be called to tell planners how to best keep disruptions to a minimum.

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Hundreds of businesses hit by the $354 million Regency Rd to Pym St project will be involved in planning the project to minimise disruption to their customers.

The direct involvement by 235 business owners in the 1.8km, three-year-long construction project is the first time the Transport Department has tried to head off customer disruption, before tenders are even issued.

Under the previous system, problems were only addressed when businesses were cut off from their street fronts and customers were hampered.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said the project was the first under the Small Business Engagement policy released after businesses complained of major disruption during a rush of projects finalised before last year’s state election.

The problem came to a head in September last year when roadworks forced the closure of the popular, jointly-owned Red Door bakery and Croydon Social pizza shop.

“Potentially-affected businesses will be surveyed with the information collected to be fed into the tender to inform the program of works to minimise disruption and help accommodate these businesses as much as possible,’’ Mr Knoll said.

The survey issued to businesses will gather information, ranging from peak trading times when roadworks should be avoided, traffic movement details, their pick-up and delivery systems, to suggestions on how to minimise loss of customers.

Artist impression of proposed overpass on the corner of Regency Rd and South Rd. Supplied by state government.

Work will begin later this year on the major South Rd project, which is part of the scheme to have a non-stop north-south corridor through Adelaide.

Mr Knoll said there would always be disruption from major projects but those affected would be involved far earlier in the process and have a much greater say.

“We want to help affected businesses keep a ‘business-as-usual’ approach,’’ he said.

“We will be feeding that survey information very early into the tender process so that the successful tenderer has that information at hand to inform their program of works.”

He said there were a number of measures a contractor could undertake to help minimise disruption.

These could range from proper scheduling of works and maintaining better access to businesses, through to marketing support, he said.

The new policy demands proponents bidding for projects have a full understanding of the requirements of businesses and build these into their tenders.

In the most disruptive roadworks projects, a small business adviser can be appointed.