Traders say exclusion zone is a 'kick in the teeth'

Business owners near to an apartment block deemed at risk of collapse in Plymouth say an exclusion zone is affecting their trade.

Roads have been closed around Evolution Cove, in Durnford Street, and residents evacuated after a fire service review said the building was structurally unsafe.

Devon and Cornwall Police said plans were in place should emergency vehicles and personnel need to attend the area.

Building owner Grey GR confirmed it had they have been in regular contact with the council and local fire service, and had shared all information and structural engineer reports.

Ryan Marsland, the owner of The Fig Tree @ 36 said the closure has had a "massive impact on footfall".

He said his business was at 50% of their usual Saturday nights and had "no response" over when it will all end.

"It's put people off", he said.

"If you factor in everything else that is going on, its another kick in the teeth."

Isis Davidge, from Identify Fashion said it had been "hectic" and "nobody really knew what was going on".

She believed "people are staying away from the area".

Jo Dyer, from hair salon Yoke, said she found about the closure through social media and believed it would "stop people from coming down here recreationally wise".

"We are having to be transparent and telling people its taking up to 40 minutes to get here from just down the road."

Dyer called for more communication from the council and said it would "cause a little less stress to know they are concerned about our businesses".

Nearby resident Elizabeth Edwards said it was "dreadful" for those living in the flats and that she had to cancel some medical appointments as she did not know if she could get to them on time.

Another resident David Hilton said it took him two hours to get to a shop at Millbay and back.

He said the closure was a "maze" and "seemed haphazardly planned".

Mark Maternaghan who also lives nearby, said as pedestrian "it did not bother him the slightest".

Plymouth City Council said it would contact local businesses to invite them to a virtual meeting on Tuesday at 18:00 BST where it could "listen to concerns, answer questions and provide the latest updates".

Traffic disruption has been building up in the local area with the diversions in place.

Plymouth City Council said it wanted to reassure residents and businesses that emergency services were able to access the area at all times, despite the current road closures.

"We have been working closely with Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and the South Western Ambulance Service over the past several days and we are assured that all blue light services can pass through the road closures safely.

"Public safety remains our absolute priority and we will continue to work in close coordination with emergency service partners whilst works to make Evolution Cove safe continues."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said it was "working closely with local agencies to ensure anyone impacted" had the support need.

"The safety and security of residents and the public is our top priority, and we expect the building owner and local authorities to make sure their needs are put first."

Grey GR said: "It is important that residents do not try to return to the building while it is under a Prohibition Notice. The building remains locked and has an active security presence.

"Since then, Grey has been in regular contact with the council and local fire service and has shared all information and structural engineer reports.

"Monitoring is in place to assess any movement in the structural cracks identified in the basement, with alerts in place should movement be outside of tolerance."

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