BUSINESSES in Upwey want to remind people they are still open as more roadwork misery hits their trade.

Resurfacing work is being carried out between Goulds Hill and Stottingway Street and ‘fed-up’ traders say their takings are more than 50 per cent down.

Lorraine D’Agostino, who owns the Riverhouse Inn, said: “There’s more road misery in Upwey on the main road that goes through Church Street.

“It’s closed for resurfacing apart from access for businesses.

“They’ve put signs up saying the road is closed but businesses are still open but it’s still dramatically affecting us all.

“We’ve had two weeks of misery and it’s going to go on for another week.

“Unfortunately we slipped through the net and weren’t told about it and we didn’t know about it until the work started so we couldn’t close the business or take down time.

“It’s really hit our trade, we’re fed up with it.”

Pauline Waring, who runs the Wishing Well restaurant, said: “They’ve completed the Goulds Hill bit but now they’ve reached us.

“It’s absolutely hit our trade, if you come along Dorchester Road and look down it looks like it’s closed even though they’re letting cars through.

“Our takings are down more than 50 per cent, we had six months of it last year and we’re just fed up with it. We’re lucky it’s not longer this time.

“We just want people to know they can access us from Dorchester Road, down Elwell Street. If they can get to us we’re definitely open.”

Jan Willment, owner of Island Garden Nursery in Church Street, added: “It’s definitely been a bit quiet. We hope people aren’t put off but they have to be shepherded down to us.”

A Dorset County Council spokesman said: “The works on Goulds Hill are complete but the whole section of road between Goulds Hill and the A354 Dorchester Road is still closed between 9am and 4.30pm each day, except weekends.

“Work is progressing well and the main contractor is carrying out drainage investigation and remedial works in front of the surfacing.

“The works have been signed to say businesses are open as usual and the whole scheme is due to be completed by Friday November 12.”