A BOLTON businessman says a large hole in front of his shop is the last straw in a catalogue of problems driving customers away.

John Walkden, who runs specialist cleaning company Intrim at the junction of Handel Street and Halliwell Road, claims council policies are killing businesses in the area.

He says shoppers are being put off by a combination of 'ludicrous' parking restrictions, endless road works and crumbling pavements.

He said: "Halliwell Road is the centre of Halliwell yet as far as I can see out of all those millions we've been given under City Challenge, not a penny has been spent here."

Halliwell was given £37.5 million City Challenge money in 1991 to be spent over five years from the Government to re-vitalise rundown areas. Mr Walkden said: "Businesses are closing down all the time and no wonder. The parking restrictions mean that not only do customers find it impossible to park but because the road is clear motorists use it as a rat run.

"It almost makes you think that the council is trying to close the road once and for all."

He added: "The build up over the past few years of all these problems has had a profound and detrimental effect on local business. The only reason I've survived is because we are so specialist and do a lot of outwork. But I know others have gone to the wall and there will be more in the future if these mad policies continue." Mr Walkden claims the pavements have been crumbling since 1990 when they were pulled up to allow the sewers to be repaired. "This hole is just one in a long line. You need a drawbridge to get in sometimes. And what really annoys me is that nobody has the decency to let us know when it's going to happen. You just turn up and there's a big hole."

He added: "We've not seen any benefit at all through the City Challenge. If I could shift my shop I would."

Chairman of highways sub-committee, Cllr Peter Finch's comments offer little in the way of hope for Mr Walkden.

Cllr Finch said he realised that roads across the borough were deteriorating but blamed central government for not providing the council with sufficient funds.

"Take lighting columns for instance. We need at least £11 million to bring them up to standard and our budget is less than £1 million." He said he was aware of the state of the pavements along Halliwell Road and said this was being addressed by officers.

Cllr Finch added: "Parking restrictions are usually introduced for safety reasons and I am sure that this is the case here."

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