A village shop on the outskirts of Wokingham has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) how its trade has dropped by 60–70 % since the start of work by Thames Water in February.
New work on underground electricity cables in Barkham was due to start this week, and will see a series of road closures over the coming weeks.
A nearby village store, which also supplies the award‑winning local Barkham Blue cheese, says its trade has fallen by 60 to 70 % since a key road in the area was closed earlier this year.
Raj Dole, 58, said: “At one point I was thinking of closing the store, but I don’t want to do that. We may need to take a loan in order to survive.”
The business is already struggling with the long-term closure and diversion of part of Bearwood Road, and now faces further disruption as more roadworks begin.
Wokingham borough council said Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks will carry out works in Berkshire until May 18, beginning with investigations into underground power connections.
Closures will affect Blagrove Lane until April 27, followed by Evendons Lane from April 27 to May 5. Edneys Hill will then be shut in stages between May 5 and May 18.
At the same time, Thames Water has closed part of Bearwood Road since February as it upgrades pipes to meet demand from new homes at the former Arborfield Garrison. The closure is expected to last until late September.
The Barkham Village Store, run by Raj and Ashu Dole, reports sales are down, with passing trade disappearing entirely.
Mr Dole, who is also a sub-postmaster, said: “The road has been closed for a very long time. They closed the road on February 16 and they haven’t moved.
“We have had no passing trade since the road works started … it’s really, really quiet.
“At one point I was thinking of closing the store, but I don’t want to do that. We may need to take a loan in order to survive.
“The Post Office is alright – people still come for postal services, but above all, we are a convenience store.
Despite high-voltage warning cones suggesting multiple works, Mr Dole said: “It’s purely Thames Water. There is no electricity – it’s to make people working there aware.”
Cllr Adrian Betteridge told the LDRS that the Council’s streetworks team negotiated a delay to the works to ensure that Bearwood Road remained open whilst there were roadworks at the Tesco and Molly Millar’s Lane roundabout.
He said the works were necessary but acknowledged disruption: “Whilst the replacement of the trunk main is very disruptive, in the long term everyone will benefit from it.”
A Thames Water spokesperson said the scheme is part of its “biggest network upgrade in 150 years” adding, “We have been working to keep disruption to a minimum.
“We would like to thank residents, businesses and motorists for their patience.”
