Somewhere behind the scaffolding and netting is one of the country’s most beautiful and historic streets.
This is now the scene in Shambles, York, as buildings on both sides are covered by scaffolding.
The work, to repair windows to the upper floors, is to last 12 weeks, right through Easter and beyond.
Traders on the street reacted with dismay to the work now being undertaken by City of York Council. Some said there were no proper consultations with them over the disruption.
The scaffolding went up during trading hours, instantly impacting on custom. And it means businesses will not be able to use vehicles for deliveries down the street for the next three months, which will cost in time and money.
It comes 18 months after the street was closed at the Pavement end for a number of weeks as anti-terror bollards were installed.
Phil Pinder, chair of the York High Street Forum and co-owner of The Potions Cauldron on Shambles, said: “No doubt councillors will put up to the media to waffle how this is necessary work, and everything is being done to minimise disruption.
“That is all baloney – no consultation with shops took place on what was happening.
“Promises of ‘full pedestrian access at all times’ already broken, as my staff asked not to enter our shop. This is hours into what will be 12 weeks or torture.
“Wish us all luck, and hopefully every shop is able to survive this onslaught against our livelihoods.”
Robin Durnan, warehouse manager at The Potions Cauldron Group, said they deliver goods weighing about one and a half tonnes to the Shambles shop several times a week.
Having to leave the van in King’s Square and trundling the stock by hand car is a significant problem.
“Not only is our delivery driver going to have to load up a trolley to take it down to the shop, he’s going to have to then lock the van up, take the stock, unlock the shop, start unloading, re-lock the shop again, go back to the van and repeat.
“So it obviously increases the time frame significantly. It generally takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to make a delivery. It’s going to at least double that time, if not more.”
He said they were told about the work on 21 February before it began yesterday (Wednesday).
“It was just basically them saying, ‘This is what’s happening, tough.
“I appreciate that the work needs to be done, but for a 12-week programme and to be given that much notice is not acceptable.”
Nicholas Collins, head of property services at City of York Council said: “Shambles is not only one of York’s most iconic sights, shopping streets and visitor destinations but also an important heritage asset which must be maintained safely.
“City of York Council owns 70% of the buildings on Shambles and these maintenance works are vital to the future of the street.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused while these works take place. However a recent survey identified a significant number of windows in need of urgent repair and, in order to complete these important works safely, a scaffold is needed.
“Due to the narrowness of the street this requires a road closure to keep workers and pedestrians safe and to ensure CYC is adhering to its statutory duties.
“We are acutely aware of the disruption this kind of project can cause, and are working with businesses to minimise disruption. This has included contacting businesses to understand their delivery movements and offering help such as the loan of hand-carts.
“We are also ensuring that customers can access the shops at all times and CYC will be promoting Shambles as being open for business. We will continue with this support as the works progress.”