SHOP owners on Wombwell High Street believe that an extension to the library in the town is threatening business.

Around 60 car parking spaces have been removed as work to extend the library is carried as part of a £500,000 project.

The development will take until the summer to complete but there are concerns that it will rumble on long enough to have a damaging effect on incomes.

Michael Simmons, from Snazzy's Dry Cleaners, said: "I have noticed a definite downturn in footfall since they started work."It's a fact that high streets aren't thriving anywhere but we should be striving to boost business.

"All traders have said the same. It feels like we are trying to ride a bike uphill because if people can't can park then they can't shop."

The reduced number of parking spaces has left greater competition for the spaces left and the car park on Summer Lane is regularly full, the shop owners claim.

Traders also claim that prospective shoppers are now opting to shop elsewhere after seeing there is nowhere easily accessible to park.

 

Wombwell Coun Dick Wraith has said that businesses will have to make do in the short-term as the town is in urgent need of the library extension.

He said: "It's unfortunate and I have every sympathy for the businesses. There are other car parks they can use it's just that they're probably not as convenient.

"We want a library that is fit for purpose and we want it for the next century. We have to develop the library but it's only for a few months and there may have to be a bit more on street parking in this time."

 

A council spokesman said: "As we have previously advised, there will be some disruption to car parking during the works. The car park to the rear of the building, on Station Road, has been closed to enable essential foundation works to be carried out (since March 10) for 17 weeks.

"It will then be partially reopened with 18 parking bays and one designated disabled parking bay for the remainder of the construction works.

"During this period, people are advised to use the nearby car parks on Summer Lane, Snowden Terrace and Mayflower Way. Letters have been issued to local businesses to make them aware of the works and the potential impact with regards to the car park."