‘Holloway Road closure is suffocating my business’

Elsa Sanchez says business at her salon has been badly affected by the A1 road closure. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Last month, Transport for London (TfL) made the shock announcement that the road will close until January for yet more work on the Upper Holloway station bridge.

“It’s impossible for anybody to see my salon,” Elsa Sanchez told the Gazette.

She owns Elsa Hair Salon, right next to the bridge. Though a TfL sign says she is still open for business, the pavement outside is sectioned off.

She added: “Most of the time, I am covered by two big construction trucks. They aren’t ever doing anything – they are just parked there.

“It’s kind of ridiculous what TfL are doing. I know they are doing something for the community but why can’t they at least find an empty place to store their machinery? It appears it’s just for their convenience so they don’t have to walk far.

Elsa Hair Salon in Holloway Road is barely visible behind the Upper Holloway road works. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

“I suppose they don’t care as they are not paying my bills. I am, though. I’m really worried about the next few months. I don’t know how I’m going to make it.”

Nick Christophorou, of Short Cut Barber Shop just up the road, added the road closure “has hit my trade like an unwelcome bomb”.

Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s surface transport officer, said: “I apologise for the disruption this is inevitably causing. We remain open to new ideas and will continue to respond to concerns as quickly as possible.”