BUSINESS owners say major resurfacing work in Beverley has cost them thousands of pounds.
Five-way traffic signals put up earlier this month around the Grovehill roundabout have led to huge tailbacks.
The resurfacing work, which is part of East Riding Council's £22m overhaul of the town's transport system, is due to be finished on Sunday – a fortnight earlier than originally planned.
Sue Mackinder, who owns Beverley News in Grovehill Road, says the completion cannot come soon enough, with sales down by 20 per cent since the work started.
"It's been a nightmare," she said.
"The business is fine until about 9.30am and then it is as though someone turns the tap off. Business dies.
"The lunch and afternoon trade has been knocked sideways. Usually, from noon to 1pm there will be two of us going at it hammer and tongs. During the work, we've had eight customers in between these hours.
"I've had to change staff hours. The council should have been working more with businesses and they should be tackling one thing at a time."
A new bypass is being built across the southern edge of Beverley, between the A164 Morrisons roundabout and the A1174 Hull Road.
It is part of the Beverley Integrated Transport Plan, which is designed to reduce through-traffic in the town and improve transport links in the wider area.
John Adams, a manager at Adams Tyre Specialists, which is based at Albion Court, off Grovehill Road, said: "In the past two weeks, the number of vehicles coming in has dropped to well under half.
"There is also the problem getting in and out of the depot. So much time is being lost.
"We are on a cul-de-sac with one way in and one way out and they even started digging up part of the road.
"Every business I've spoken to in the area has been suffering. The work is damaging local business."
Nigel Leighton, the council's director of environment and neighbourhood services, said workers have been carrying out the work seven days a week.
He said they have been avoiding peak travel times to shorten the duration of the works, with the aim of completing the resurfacing by the end of the week.
He said: "The council and its contractor have made every effort to keep local residents and businesses informed, including regular letter drops detailing the phasing of the works and timescales, and have also resolved to keep levels of disruption as low as possible by monitoring and reviewing the traffic management arrangements when in place.
"Regrettably, a scheme of this size and complexity cannot be constructed without traffic management in place, as this ensures the safety of both the public and the workforce.
"The council did consider the possibility of working nights, but ruled this option out, given the close proximity and considerable disturbance this would cause within a residential area."
Mr Leighton said the work will improve traffic flow around the town.
He said: "When complete, these improvements will enhance Beverley's transport infrastructure by reducing the amount of traffic in the town centre, improving traffic flows around Beverley and providing new facilities for cyclists pedestrians and horse riders.
"While there has to be some disturbance for residents and delays for traffic, unavoidable due to the nature of the works, the long-term gains of this scheme will be enjoyed by motorists and the travelling public for many years to come.
"The council would like to thank residents, motorists and the travelling public for their patience and understanding while the works have been carried out and apologises for any inconvenience that has been caused."
Any business with concerns about the works should call the district valuer on 0300 501501 for advice.
£22m overhaul to improve traffic flowTHE £22m overhaul of Beverley's transport system is due to be complete by early next year.
The Beverley Integrated Transport Plan has been designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow in the town.
Work includes the introduction of the Beverley Southern Relief Road, which will run from the Morrisons roundabout around the south of Beverley to the A1174 Hull Road.
Changes are also being made to the Grovehill junction, Swinemoor roundabout and the Flemingate level crossing, as well as signing works to reclassify the road network in and around Beverley.
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