Roadworks has Dunfermline restaurant losing up to £4,000 a week

Fabio Teti, owner of Casa Mia on Nethertown Broad Street, has told the Press that Bothwell Gardens roundabout roadworks are losing his restaurant money.

The £650,000 project has already received heavy criticism from motorists and businesses for the disruption caused.

The business is losing thousands of pounds as a result of roadworks. (Image: Fabio Teti)

He initially thought that the business was just quiet as a result of the school holidays and people jetting off, but he has since realised that he is losing money week on week.

“I am losing three to four thousand a week," he sadly revealed.

“We have never been really quiet like that, we have never had an issue like that.

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“If somebody comes from the town centre, they can go to another restaurant instead of coming to me and finding two or three roadworks during the way.”

On Saturday, the restaurant served 47 people - they normally attend between 100 and 120 customers.

The roadworks have been affecting businesses in the city. (Image: Fabio Teti)

Fabio would have appreciated more warning from Fife Council about the roadworks.

He added: “I received a letter through the post a week after they started to do the works.

"We never had any letter one month, two months, before the works were starting. I felt left behind.

“They still want me to pay the rates, the VAT, the gas, the wages.

“At the end of the day I have all my expenses every month that need to go out.

“The council are not supporting the community at all. It’s selfish.

“Nobody came to our door and said, 'Listen we’re going to do roadworks and we are going to be there for three months, if it’s affecting you don’t hesitate to send us an email'.

The restaurant is located on Nethertown Broad Street. (Image: Fabio Teti)

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“That’s what makes me angry. If you call the council and I want to speak to somebody, they don’t know where they need to pass me.

“They are hiding. This is what makes me angry. They want me to pay the rates, but they cause me a really big damage.”

The Press previously reported that class numbers dropped for Susan David, a yoga teacher in the city, after the roadworks began.

She previously told Press: “It would have been nice to be notified in advance and we could have told people. That would have just been nice.”

Fabio added: “You should help the community first, the community let you do the jobs.

“Without businesses Dunfermline will collapse. I feel really left behind.”

Last week Fife Council said that senior managers met with local business people to discuss ways to further improve access to local stores and businesses.

John Mitchell, Head of Roads and Transportation Services said: “First and foremost I want to assure people that traffic is now moving well through the roadworks, people are accessing the local shops and we are looking to accelerate the works where possible.

“Today we have been reassuring Asda representatives that we are here to support the local community, stores and businesses. We have been listening to their views to explore options to further accelerate the improvements with a view to minimising the works and helping businesses. We are reviewing the work to date and looking to see if there are better ways to complete the remainder of the roadworks to help the travelling public and shoppers.

“Traffic movement around Bothwell Garden roundabout is moving well and the message from local shops and businesses is clear – they’re open as usual and waiting for you."

The Press then told you that the controversial works could be cut by "around six weeks", according to a reported update from Fife Council.

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville posted on social media on Friday stating that the local authority has "tentatively agreed" a revised programme of the Bothwell Gardens roundabout upgrades.

The works have caused great frustration for motorists and local businesses, but how quickly the project is finished may be changing.

Ms Somerville posted: "Fife Council have confirmed to me this afternoon that they have “tentatively agreed” a revised programme with the project contractor to accelerate the project, which they estimate could reduce the timescale by around six weeks.

"Further details are expected next week but they are confident this will result in significant improvements for businesses and members of the public.

"Additional signage is also being erected on all approaches to the roundabout to remind motorists that businesses in the local area remain open during the roadworks.

"Those businesses who are continuing to experience challenges are being asked to contact the local authority directly at: fifemeansbusiness@fife.gov.uk."

The Press has contacted Fife Council for comment.