A trader has warned he may take action against Essex County Council if footway works being carried out in Maldon High Street continue at the rate they are going.

Businesses being affected by the highways maintenance work at the top of the High Street told the Gazette last week footway works, which started last month and will run until late March, were having a dramatic impact on their profits.

The works are taking place between the High Street's junctions with Market Hill at one end and Spital Road and Fambridge Road at the other.

The county council has now put signs up around the town reminding shoppers and Maldon residents they are still open as usual, but Peter Orriss, from Maldon Furnishers, says this has done nothing to increase trade at his store.

Mr Orriss said the work was progressing very slowly and he claims he has figures to prove paving works outside the High Street stores are having a negative impact on his business.

A council spokesman said: "We are working closely with our contractors to make sure that extra resources are put into the project to get it completed."

Published Friday, February 4, 2005

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