Lengthy roadworks cause 'dramatic' drop in customers

Two village businesses say the closure of a village road is having a damaging effect on their livelihoods.

The B1049 Twenty Pence Road in Wilburton, near Ely, was closed by Anglian Water on 6 January for essential work to upgrade pipes.

The water company said the road will be closed off until March "to keep everyone safe" and because of the "size of the area and the machinery involved".

But managers at the Twenty Pence Garden Centre and the Flame bar and restaurant say they have had to reduce staffing as a result of the long-running works.

Jon Collins, the garden centre manager, said he had seen a dramatic drop in footfall - with takings 30% down.

"Our restaurant has suffered, there has been a lot more wastage with food because we just haven't had the customers," he said.

He added that many customers called up believing they could not get down the road at all, so "maybe the signage is a bit misleading".

"Weekend staff have had some of their hours cut due to the garden centre being so quiet," he said, adding that the business was in talks with Anglian Water over possible compensation.

Harsha Makwana has run the Flame Indian restaurant and bar with her husband Dinesh since January 2025.

She said the business had to lay off staff and she was worried about the future.

"We normally are fully booked on Fridays and Saturdays, but now we are only half full," she said.

"Customers used to come from Cottenham and Histon but can't get to us so easily now with the road closed."

Makwana said the couple were considering selling up - or leasing it out.

She said it was a "big worry" to have a two-month road closure.

Dinesh Makwana said he would also be contacting Anglian Water about possible compensation.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: "We're replacing 2.6km (1.6 miles) of pipe on Twenty Pence Road that has come to the end of its working life.

"Doing this now means we can prevent bursts, emergency closures and bigger problems later.

"It also helps improve water pressure locally, and reduces the risk of leaks and unplanned interruptions.

"To keep everyone safe, we have needed to close the road while we work.

"This is the only safe option under the Street Works Act because of the size of the working area and the machinery involved."

The firm said it had worked with Cambridgeshire County Council to agree the closure, diversion routes and signage.

A spokesperson thanked road users, residents and business owners for their patience.

They said the Twenty Pence Garden Centre was still accessible from the Wilburton end and "open as normal" signs had been placed.

They added that Anglian Water did offer compensation for businesses that experienced financial loss as a direct result of its work.

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