Popular Derbyshire community pub told to roll 22-gallon beer barrels up the road after roadworks block access
A popular community pub was told to roll 22 gallon beer barrels up the road due to disruption caused by roadworks.
New Inn, in Clay Cross was left without stock and feared it might have to close, after temporary traffic lights and signs suddenly appeared outside the building on Market Street, last week.
The road signs advising drivers of temporary traffic lights and roadworks were placed directly in front of the pub, making it impossible for delivery lorries to safely stop and unload 22-gallon beer barrels for the venue.
Landlady Hazel Aitken said: “I had no notification whatsoever from the council, I just got up one morning and the traffic lights were there right outside the pub.
"I should get my deliveries on Thursday mornings, and I had a phone call from the brewery to say they couldn't deliver due to the traffic lights and signs because they couldn't get anywhere near the pub.
"Delivery drivers can’t physically park outside the pub now.
"They would have to park further down the road and roll the barrels up and they can’t do that because of health and safety.”
New Inn contacted Derbyshire County Council, the highways authority, and asked for the signs to be slightly moved – but the venue was told that was not possible.
Ms Aitken added: “I've tried the council with no joy.
"All the council have said is for the brewery to send a smaller van and deliver it opposite side of road.
"You can't get 22 gallon barrels in a little van and take them out and literally roll them over the road to the pub.
"There's nowhere for anyone to park and there are pedestrians out there.
"I wouldn’t like to think a 22 gallon barrel of beer could be rolling into my car or worse a pedestrian or a mobility scooter.”
The pub has been left with no stock and was forced to ask customers and other local pubs for help.
Ms Aitken added: “I’ve struggled to the point where I've literally got no stock this week.
"'I've had to send one of the customers over to one of the other pubs to get me a barrel of Carling and a barrel of Stella to last me until my next delivery.
"It’s costing us money as well.
"We don't want to have to close the pub, because it's a community pub.
"We do a lot of work with mental health charities left, right and centre.
"We get people coming in because they don't want to be at home on their own.
"If we have to close this pub, what are they supposed to do?”
Ms Aitken contacted Cllr Ross Shipman, Cabinet member for Tupton at North East Derbyshire District Council to ask for his help.
He spoke to Derbyshire County Council but got a similar response from the authority.
He said: “Frustrating doesn’t quite cover it.
“Temporary traffic lights have been placed near the New Inn and signs directly outside, leaving the pub unable to take deliveries.
"The dray lorry quite simply can’t get close enough to unload barrels safely for their staff and other road users.
“After raising this with the council, the response has been disappointing.
"They are refusing to make even a slight adjustment to the traffic light or sign positioning and have instead suggested that deliveries are made by a van — which is neither practical nor realistic for this type of supply.
“It’s yet another example of poor planning and a lack of common sense, with a local business left to deal with the consequences.
“Our high streets and pubs are already under pressure — they should be supported, not hindered by avoidable things such as this.
“What’s it going to take for somebody at County Hall to take responsibility for this constant mess?”
Derbyshire County Council said that the roadworks are a part of Clay Cross regeneration works and therefore are managed by North East Derbyshire District Council.
A spokesperson for North East Derbyshire District Council said: “We’ve spoken with Derbyshire County Council and the traffic management provider to review the positioning of the temporary traffic lights and signage at Market Street.
“Because of safety requirements, including the nearby pedestrian crossing and the layout of the road, there is very limited scope to reposition the lights without creating additional risks for road users and pedestrians.
“We recognise the impact this has on nearby businesses and will continue to work with partners to understand what practical mitigations may be possible while the works are in place.”