A highways chief has denied claims roadworks affecting Maldon and its surrounding villages had been scheduled to take place at the same time.

Traders have complained that the works to replace paving in High Street should not have taken place at the same time as improvements to the A414 in Danbury.

The works in Maldon started last month and are expected to run until late March. At the moment, temporary traffic lights are operating in Danbury.

Businesspeople worried that town centre trade is dropping off because of the roadworks said a drop in profits on Valentine's Day proved their point.

Councillor Rodney Bass, Essex County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said the works had not been arranged to all be done at once.

Published Monday, February 21, 2005

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