Bohemia Village Voice

Myles Evans

BOHEMIA’S TRADERS WERE APPALLED to find the time chosen to renew the area’s gas mains was the fourteen weeks running up to Christmas. Work necessitated re-routing traffic round back streets, cutting already inadequate parking, and restricting access to shops. The whole of Bohemia Road from the Wheatsheaf to Needlepoint was affected. One of many traders worried about impact on business, Myles Evans [right], of The Outdoorsman took positive action.
“Our local councillor Andrew Cartwright didn’t seem to be doing anything about it, so I contacted Roy Tucker, the Conservative councillor who is lead member for highways. He called a meeting. He was very helpful and got us a short-term reprieve.”
Present at the urgent meeting, held at the Town Hall on 3rd December, were representatives from Morrisons the contractors, Southern Gas Networks, the Highways Authority (East Sussex County Council), the Bohemia Area Association, local councillor Andrew Cartwright, traders and residents. More would have attended had not the meeting been at short notice. It was effective, achieving successful results. Southern Gas agreed to halt the roadworks temporarily and reinstate the road surface, which took about a week.

Terry Foord

Myles described the gas-works as “the last nail in the coffin” for Bohemia’s traders. “At the meeting I said, ‘We don’t expect our high street to be closed in the weeks leading up to Christmas. How many more punches have we got to take?’” He told the Voice, “I spoke to other traders and we’re all 50% down on profit due to the roadworks. All our customers have complained about it. I’ve invested a lot of money in this business and I don’t want it killed. I expect the council to serve the people of this town.”
 Terry Foord [right] of Munday’s newsagents said, “That meeting was a first.  It was the first time all the parties concerned got around the table. It was all sensible people, who put their points rationally. It was a very well-conducted meeting. I think Morrisons could see how it was affecting the area. There have been a lot of road works in Bohemia Road in recent years. Even the walking public, as well as the driving public, are put off by the sight of all the fencing and roadworks. I spoke to the foreman of Morrisons and he put in gaps so people can cross.” At the meeting Southern Gas said local traders may be able to claim financial compensation, provided they meet qualification criteria. However, Terry felt this was not worthwhile. “You have to submit three years’ accounts, and for that you need an accountant. They don’t work for peanuts.”

Snow, barriers and one-way traffic in Bohemia Road this year (12 Jan)

Andrew Cartwright said, “Myles did not contact me about the roadworks or anything else. I’m always happy to deal with residents’ or traders’ concerns, but they do need to contact me to let me know what their concerns are.” He said, “I’ve written to Cllr Tucker asking him to put in place a procedure to establish an on-going dialogue with Bohemia’s traders to ensure this kind of problem does not arise in future. I’ve suggested the Bohemia Area Association’s Bohemia Road Improvement Committee could be used to create a positive dialogue.”
o The roadworks began again in the New Year. The replacement of the gas mains is estimated to be finished about 22nd February, when work will start on resurfacing.