Vacy businesses are doing it tough since the June floods and the closure of Bruxner Bridge on Summerhill Road.
The bridge has been closed to traffic since June 12 and it is unknown whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced.
The closure of the bridge has seen traffic diverted along Lennoxton Road with residents on the northern side no longer coming into Vacy.
Glenn Shore who, along with wife Nicole has owned Vacy store and lived in the village for 13 years, said he has never seen things so bad.
“I know it is a tough economic climate out there, but since the bridge closed, it is even more so,” he said.
His comments were backed up by Farmers Hotel licensee Grahame Gunter who said his takeaway sales are down 40 to 50 per cent and drinking sales back by 25 per cent.
“If it wasn’t for our local loyal patrons it would be a waste of time being open,” he said.
“Thursday and Friday, which are usually our busier days, have died right off because of the road.
“People who work out of town used to call in for a drink, but because they have to now go along Lennoxton Road, they aren’t coming here.
“It’s further for them to travel anyway without coming into town, and with the cost of fuel these days, makes it even harder.
“It is tough out there but this has just added to it.
“If it’s not fixed or replaced within the next few months, I don’t know how we will go.”
Mr Shore said he was lucky the store was also the post office, as people had to come in “eventually” to pick up their mail.
“But where they used to come in every day, they are now just coming once a week,” he said.
“And yes, it has impacted on us too.
“Tourists who stay up at Eaglereach used to come into Vacy for a drive, go to the hotel and cafe for a meal or buy stuff from us just don’t come anymore.
“Our milk and bread sales have pretty much remained the same but last week I did the smallest Coke order I’ve done for a long time.
“And the locals reckon it is an accident waiting to happen with school buses, service vehicles, milk tankers and trucks all using Lennoxton Road.
“It’s only very narrow and you can’t get over for people to overtake.
“When the school bus stops to pick up the kids, you can’t go around it and I can see people getting frustrated with waiting.
“I know it’s in the hands of the RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority) but they just need to make a decision and get on with it.”
Dungog Shire Council’s manager of Infrastructure and Assets Steve Hitchens said RTA representatives inspected the bridge on Tuesday of last week.
“We are now waiting on their report regarding the funding level available for rectification works,” Mr Hitchens said.
“In the interests of safety council has established a speed limit of 70 kph on Lennoxton Road as this road will be subject to increased traffic until the Bruxner Bridge is back in service.”
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