BUSINESSES say roadworks along a busy Andover street have caused them to lose thousands of pounds in trade.

Planned closures of Mylen Road and Millway Road affected residents and businesses alike from Thursday, October 13 to Monday, October 17.

Angling shop Challis Tackle said vehicle access to its business was limited the whole five days.

Tracy Berntsen, who co-owns the shop with her husband, said: “I think we’ve lost about £2,000 in four days, which is quite a lot for a small business like ours.”

Another family-run business, Footstep Flooring, said footfall decreased as a result of the works.

Based in Mylen Business Centre, staff said they were particularly affected on Friday and Saturday.

A spokesperson for the flooring and carpeting company said: “We were told a couple of weeks before that there would be access to our shop and there wasn’t.

“The road was shut for two days completely and they had signs saying ‘road closed access only’ so people would see them and turn back.”

However, another business based off the road, KJM Windows Doors & Conservatories, said the business was not affected greatly.

Manager Mark Pearce said he understood the need for the works, adding: “Sometimes you’ve got to deal with these things.”

Hampshire County Council said residents identified the road was in need of repair, which they confirmed following their own assessments.

Executive member for environment and transport, Cllr Rob Humby, said: “Residents and businesses in Mylen Road and all side roads were notified a month in advance of the five-day closure, and our team did complete this work within the timeframe indicated to residents.

“Pedestrian access was maintained at all times to allow customers to access businesses.

“We always aim to keep closures as short as possible, and our team has worked hard to minimise the disruption caused.

“We are also mindful that by making short, planned closures, we can maintain the roads to a good standard, which helps to avoid serious road damage that could result in longer closures.

“I was shocked to hear that some people put themselves and their workforce at risk by ignoring road closures which are there for their own safety, and that of the workforce, and that the workforce has had to suffer abuse while repairing the road,” he added.

“I understand the police have even been involved to prevent assaults being made on our workforce.

“This is completely unacceptable – and far from speeding up these essential road repairs, it impedes progress, and endangers everyone’s safety.”

There is no suggestion the behaviour Cllr Humby refers to involved any business owners.