Local residents and committee members of Westhill Gardens Sports Club, at West Hill Road, Westfield, have spoken out after the road, which was meant to be closed for up to six months whilst affordable homes were being built for the organisation, Curo, will now stay closed until May 8th, despite the clubhouse being due to be used as a polling station.
Committee members estimate that the club may have lost up to £16,000 of revenue since last July and was £2,500 down on its Christmas week alone. The road closure is not only annoying residents, but has meant that for people attending events at the club, some have never found it at all. Whilst there are diversion signs through Waterford Park, the committee argue that they keep being knocked over and that only local people would stand a chance of working out how to get there. "We had a party booked with a third of the guests coming from Bristol. They spent hours looking for the club and decided to turn around and go home. What is worse, is that we were paying extra staff for the evening to cope with the numbers," said Clive Maggs, Treasurer of Westhill Gardens Sports Club.
"We have tried to be helpful during the build, with the workers using the car park and part of the area being used for storage. This has proved difficult, particularly when we are busy with events, such as children's parties and wakes. We've also let the builders plumb into our water supply, which, although we'll get the money back, has increased our monthly costs."
The club feel frustrated by the lack of communication they have received, with the situation coming to a head in November last year, when the club switched off the water supply. Following a meeting with Curo, the club was given £500 as a goodwill gesture.
"This is not about housing," added Mr Maggs. "But the road closure has had an adverse effect on the club and a 10% loss in revenue can be make or break for some people. We are having to cut our costs, such as cancelling our Sky contract, and that makes life harder, particularly when pubs and clubs are already finding it tough in this climate."
Speaking to The Journal this week, Jane Alderman, Curo Head of Development, said: "The partial closure of West Hill Road has gone on for longer than expected, due to delays in diverting overhead cables. This work has now been undertaken by BT and our contractors are working hard to complete work on this development of ten affordable homes. We know this extended closure has been an inconvenience for members of the local community and the Westhill Sports and Social Club and we would like to thank everyone affected for bearing with us."
The club might be down, but it is certainly not out. It has just been successful in the latest Dragon's Den round for Big Local Lottery funding and is about to relaunch as Westfield Sports and Community Centre, emphasising that it is for residents of the area and beyond. It began fifty years ago, set up by ex-miners who worked hard with innovative ideas to fundraise for their community clubhouse, with the land in trust. There are reports that in the very beginning, a jazz band was assembled on the back of a lorry with collection boxes! Back in the present day, it is looking into the possibility of applying for charitable status.
The club is used by many members of the community and local groups, including charities, SWALLOW, WISH, local skittle and pool leagues and the majorettes. Westfield Sports and Community Centre is keen to receive more input from local residents. If you have any ideas or would like to be involved with the club committee, contact the Secretary, Alan Selway, on: 01761 435155 or: 07894 793037.
Westfield Parish Council have also commented on the situation: "The Parish Council is supportive of the Westhill Sports and Social Club's concerns and has been in contact with B&NES Highways about the lengthy road closure. We understand that the road is expected to remain closed until 8th May. If the site is still active at the time of the election on 7th May, they will be minor works. Should that be the case, B&NES will be able to close down the working areas and allow access through West Hill Road."