Business owners on Robinson Street are becoming impatient with the Main Street upgrade construction works, while the Shire of Carnarvon maintains works are on schedule.

When the work commenced in early January, the contractors and Shire told the Northern Guardian works would be completed in May. However, a sign erected near the cultural centre said the project was expected to finish in June.

Shire executive officer Maurice Battliana said the project, at this stage, was on time.

Rumours circulated last week that work was delayed after a sub-contractor was injured on Thursday, February 2, but Mr Battilana said this was not the case.

Worksafe confirmed they were investigating an incident where a man had his arm broken while transplanting trees.

Lisa Smith from Carnarvon Menswear said she was looking forward to the end result of the upgrade but was not convinced it would be completed on time.

“If this is going to be done at the end of May, why isn’t there more activity?” she said.

“I’m all for a beautiful Main Street and I think it will be but why is it taking so long?”

She said on Monday of last week the only works she saw was a water truck being used to stop dust.

Jenny Walsh, who opened her bookshop on the western end of Robinson Street on Monday, said she was displeased with the project as a whole.

“There wasn’t anything wrong with our Main Street that a few thousand couldn’t have fixed and the $8 million could have been better spent elsewhere on a whole range of other projects,” she said.

“There was virtually no consultation with the community about ripping up the streets and pavements, which is evident by the number of problems raised by hundreds of residents now.”

West Coast Fish and Chips is located on the north side of Robinson Street, which is completely closed to traffic. Owner Rob Aleksic said he has put up more signage to make sure customers know he is open. He said his lunchtime trade is down as a result of the works but he expected there to be some disruption.

“When a job’s got to be done, it’s got to be done. I just hope it doesn’t take longer than they say,” he said.

Mr Battliana thanked the community for their patience and asked people to look forward.

“Let’s focus on the end result because it will be something we can be proud of as a community,” he said.