SHOP staff face being laid off because of rush-hour delays during roadworks on the A338's Blackwater junction, it has been revealed.

Retail and Tourism chiefs claim the months of roadworks are damag-ing their livelihoods.

An urgent meeting with the highways authority has been demanded to discuss the major disruptions the 14-week programme of essential repair work, which began on September 5, has caused.

Bournemouth Tourism Action Group claims the road works are impacting on the lives of people living in Bournemouth and are causing a decline in the numbers of people visiting the town's shops, pubs, clubs and restaurants.

And Peter Goodson, managing secretary of the town's Chamber of Trade, reported "devastating problems".

He added: "Retailers of all sizes are experiencing substantial loss of income as people from a wide area are being warned of the major delays in both directions and are reported to be heading off to Salisbury and Southampton instead.

"Major department stores are now considering temporarily laying off staff as their pay is related to income."

The Tourism Action Group wants to meet highway chiefs to discuss adjusting their timetable to complete the repairs a month earlier than the scheduled date in mid-December, a suggestion backed by the Chamber of Trade.

It also wants to try and improve the amount and depth of consultation Dorset County Council conducts with the community before green lighting road repairs.

Chairman of the group Mike Francis said: "We feel frustrated and there's a certain amount anxiety from the business community.

"People are not coming into the conurbation. They're finding out that if they do come in they will get stuck in a traffic jam. It's led to a huge loss of visitors.

"No one is disputing that the work needs to be done, but we think there should have been greater consultation and more input from the community."

Mr Goodson added: "The chamber cannot understand why work was initiated at, what is to many businesses, especially retailers, their most important time of year - the run up to Christmas.

"It is widely known in the business community that after the festive season and into the New Year, there is always a downturn in business when the work should have been organised causing the least damage to their livelihood."

The group has written to seek a meeting with the highways authority to address its concerns.

First published: Sept 18