TRADERS surrounded by roadworks claim they are in crisis.

Weymouth town centre traders say they have shed tears of frustration at two ongoing sets of roadworks by the harbourside – and their takings have taken a hit from a now-finished third set.

They say trade fell short of what was expected for a Bank Holiday weekend and they have seen a sharp downturn in their spring-time trade.

The small business owners have found themselves caught up in the 10-week Town Bridge refurbishment and gas works outside their front doors.

Fiona Adams, owner of Waffle On, said: “All I can see from my shop window is roadworks. Some of us have been in tears, we are that worried about our businesses.

“Our Bank Holiday trade was nowhere near what we expected. The Town Bridge was open for pedestrians on the opposite side to us so we had no-one coming to this end of town.

“With the Town Bridge, gas works and water works, we just can’t believe it is all happening at once.”

Many traders said access routes to their shops have been blocked and hardly any customers have been seen over what should have been a busy May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

They have criticised the ‘bad planning’ of Dorset County Council and utilities companies for carrying out works simultaneously during popular tourist periods.

Road surfacing will now take place over the next two weeks to complete the gas works. Three weeks of water works also took place along an alleyway off Trinity Road in March.

Mrs Adams said: “It is really bad planning.

“I come into work and don’t even set the tables out because no-one comes in.

“You ring up the council and they never get back to you.”

Southern Gas Network offered traders who can prove a loss of business a compensation pack due to the disruption.

Mrs Adams said: “As relatively new businesses we will find it hard to prove a loss when we have no previous years to compare it to.

“Roadworks have been around here in some of the busiest tourist months and before that it was winter so it is hardly fair to work it out.”

Landlord of the Kings Arms Pete Whittle, pictured left, said the roadworks have cost him a lot of money.

He added: “Trade is down by 30 per cent and staff hours have been cut.”

Debbie Harris, owner of Bija clothing and gifts shop, said: “It is causing a crisis.

“The council increased business rates but how can we pay them when they ruin our chances of business?”

Dave Hansford, owner of dg Vintage, said: “My shop, the waffle shop and the fish pedicure shop are all quite new businesses. I have only been open two months and haven’t had chance to get off the ground.”

Carole Pinches, owner of Finishing Touches, said: “There doesn’t seem to be workmen there half the time. People think this end of town isn’t open. My shop has been empty.”

£100m spent in 18 months

MORE than £100million has been invested in Weymouth road improvements in the last 18 months.

A council spokesman said: “Dorset County Council has been carrying out essential maintenance and refurbishment work on the Town Bridge to ensure its continued use and public safety.

“This work was timed to try and avoid the busiest times of the year in Weymouth.

“While work is also being carried out at the same time in Trinity Road by the Southern Gas Network, this means that we can avoid further road closures there in the near future.

“We appreciate the works have caused inconvenience for businesses in the area.

“Once the Town Bridge project is complete very little significant work should need to be carried out for some considerable time.

“Over the bank holiday weekend every effort was made to ensure that both footways across the bridge were open for pedestrians to prevent congestion over the busy break.

“Dorset County Council would like to thank the residents and businesses for their on-going patience and understanding.”

The Town Bridge will open to traffic on May 20 subject to extreme weather conditions.