THE closure of a busy A-road for resurfacing will cost businesses thousands of pounds, it has been claimed.

Pub and restaurant owners in Turgis Green fear the closure of the A33 Basingstoke-to-Reading road from 7pm to 6am on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week, will damage trade at the busiest time of the week.

The closure affects a four-mile stretch between the roundabout at Sherfield-on-Loddon and the junction with the B3349 at Swallowfield.

Keith Gallocker, owner of The Cricketers, in Bottle Lane, said: “I am going to lose thousands of pounds and I am not going to get any compensation.

“It is devastating, I am just a small restaurant that can’t afford to be closed at the busiest time of the week.”

Mr Gallocker said local businesses were not consulted on the best time in which to close the road.

Wayne Morris, general manager at The Jekyll and Hyde pub, said: “We will be losing thousands, especially because it is a Friday night.”

Mr Morris said he received a letter notifying him of the road closures but was not consulted about timing.

Hampshire County Council leader Councillor Ken Thornber, said: “I do understand that the impact of a road closure on local traders is more acutely felt when the economy has suffered a recession.

“We have timed this to be done before Easter or the summer when trade would be expected to increase.”

He said the law did not permit the county council to compensate traders for business lost as a result of roadworks.

But he added: “There will still be access for residents wanting to reach their homes and visitors wanting to drink or dine in any of the pubs or restaurants on the four-mile stretch of road where work will be going on.

“A gateman will manage the closure from this point of view. For other traffic there will be signed diversions.”