10/09/2026
So, this post is a bit of a rant and a bit of a plea all rolled into one. As all locals would now be well aware, the upgrade to Canterbury Road has been a massive pain. It has affected traffic, it has affected pedestrian access and caused temporary road closures and detours.
What the government failed to consider was the local traders. We have been misinformed, not informed and just generally ignored the whole way through this process.
As some would be aware, Canterbury Rd is being closed completely on the south side this Sunday and there will be only one lane going each way on the north side. All entrances and exits to the shops except for Allen’s Rd (despite the fact that you CANNOT turn right into the shops there!) is the only access to the car park on Sunday. Oh and yes, we found out about this little nugget late Friday night last week!
Just to add to this, the south side of the bridge over the train lines will also be closed from Friday for the next few weeks. On Sunday, we have been given no option other than to close on one of our busiest days of the week despite the fact that the shops and the traders are already suffering enough.
So here is the plea, come and see us tomorrow and Saturday and every day until this debacle is over. Our little shops need the locals to support us through this.
