Plans to close a north Norfolk market town’s high street for more than three months of roadworks have been delayed until next year.
Norfolk County Council had planned to close a section of Stalham’s High Street, from the junction of Lower Staithe Road to the junction of Baker Street, for 14 weeks of essential resurfacing works, starting on November 13 this year.
However, the council announced today (September 13) that works have now been pushed back to January 2024.
It comes after North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker and a group of Stalham councillors penned a letter to the council urging it to delay the works and keep High Street open to protect trade for businesses during the Christmas period.
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A Norfolk County Council spokesperson said: “In consultation with local businesses, the proposed start date of these works has been moved to January 2024 to avoid the run up to Christmas.
“The exact start date and any further information will be shared nearer the time.”
Mr Baker said he is “pleased that some sense has prevailed”.
“As a former retailer, it would have been catastrophic to harm trading in Stalham over the festive period,” he said.
“It is one of the most important periods of the year for businesses and shoppers, so a short delay into the New Year is the sensible resolution for everyone.”
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Councillor Matthew Taylor, North Norfolk district councillor for Stalham, added: “Crucially, the Christmas trading period, which is vitally important to our local businesses, will now be unaffected by the work.
“Significant questions remain over various details of the programme, but we now have an extended amount of time to drill into these and ensure our business have the least amount of disruption as possible.”
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Richard Cook, landlord of the Swan Inn in Stalham’s High Street, said: "This news comes as a huge relief for us.
“Like many local businesses, we have two vitally important trading periods each year: the summer tourism months, and the winter festive period.
“With work Christmas parties and local functions, it's important that this period is unaffected.
"A huge thank you to Duncan Baker and our local councillors for acting so quickly on this and getting the closure postponed - we really appreciate their support."
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