Regeneration works risk ripping the heart out of the Vale of Leven

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Signs welcoming you to Alexandria describe it as ‘the heart of the Vale.’But fed-up traders and residents are warning that the regeneration work that has isolated businesses and crippled footfall is at risk of killing off the town centre for good.As part of a £12million transformation plan – set to take six months to complete –the Smollett Fountain is being restored, Main Street is being re-paved and the eyesore Mitchell Way shopping precinct is being demolished.The work, which started in May, will go on until at least November.But traders fear they won’t be in business then as the cordons and closures see them isolated – with trade down up to 40 percent in some cases.Barriers mean shoppers can’t browse stores on both sides of Main Street without lengthy detours, traffic is backed up frequently and pavement space is compromised.We told you last week how the Post Office is facing closure with owner Zunair Butt working two jobs to make ends meet.This will have a knock-on effect on Lomond Fishmongers, which sits opposite the Smollett Fountain and is completely surrounded by the works.Owner David MacCallum says he can’t open the door because of the smell and noise outside and shoppers think he is closed –leaving him stuck inside with no customers.He had already endured overrunning works on the pavement outside his store, before tramlines were discovered underneath the street – adding further delays.To reach David’s store you have to negotiate a maze of barriers, and that hasn’t been the only issue.He explained: “Phase one was supposed to take five to eight weeks.

And we’re now on week 11.“As a business, you knew you would be 20 percent down because of the road closure. But on top of that, it’s been getting dug up outside