Cambridge postmaster fears for business due to bus gate
A recent survey's found nearly a third of traders saw fewer customers
A postmaster in Cambridge says he may only have a couple of years left in business because of the Mill Road bus gate.
Since last March, more than £1 million in fines have been given to drivers crossing the bridge where only exempt vehicles including buses, taxis and emergency services are allowed.
"I'm not sure, maybe two or three years if it goes on like this," Dadhi Chudali, postmaster at Romsey Town Post Office on Mill Road, said.
"I have a saving for the next two, three years to rent (the building to pay) my landlord."
A Freedom of Information request found Cambridgeshire County Council issued a total of 15,483 fines to drivers as of April 29, worth up to £1,083,810.
A spokesperson for the county council said the restrictions are “clearly signposted” and help make Mill Road an “enjoyable” and “safe place to visit”.
Footfall decline
In a survey dated this year, the Mill Road Traders Association (MRTA) - which represents businesses along the road - found nearly 57% of firms saw a decline in performance with 62% seeing fewer customers.
The survey also found while 47.1% saw a drop in footfall, 56% said customer access was the most important factor in helping business thrive.
Mr Chudali has been a postmaster on Mill Road for the last 15 years, but is concerned about his future.
"The future is uncertain because if it's going like this, more post offices are going to close in a few years' time, so I'm making plans on what to do and how to survive," he said.
"Mill Road was crowded all the time, traffic passing, and now slowly it's fading away and dying; this is supposed to be a high street but now it feels like a village."
In its report, the MRTA say there is a "clear opportunity for meaningful, data-led collaboration between traders, local authorities and key stakeholders" in how future decisions involving Mill Road are made. The MRTA hope that these decisions are made "in a way that benefits the wider community while sustaining the economic vitality of Mill Road."
Mr Chudali - an ambassador at the MRTA - said footfall has dropped between 25-35% since the bus gate was installed.
He believes the night-time economy on Mill Road - such as pubs and restaurants - is steady as many people visit in the evenings after work.
Mr Chudali has previously tried to raise concerns with local authorities about the effect the bus gate has had on his and other businesses.
"They've heard my voice and I use social media regularly; sometimes I make videos about how it's affecting the business, how quiet this street is," he added.
"But nobody's listening."
A spokesperson for the county council has said the authority wants Mill Road "to be an enjoyable, safe place to visit and to encourage more people to come into the area.
“Reducing motorised through traffic and installing the bus gate helps achieve this.”