Disgruntled Colchester traders are calling for roadworks to be halted in the run-up to Christmas.

Bottleneck - the roadworks which Colchester traders want halted for Christmas

Traders near the Northern Approaches roadworks in Mile End said their takings were being badly hit by the traffic delays, which are putting customers off visiting their businesses.

Licensee Fred Veasey, of the Bricklayers Arms in Bergholt Road, said the impact of the work is really being felt at lunchtimes when office workers are avoiding the queues at the roundabout at North Station.

He said: "It's down a good two-thirds at lunchtime. It's a sizeable amount. It is affecting us quite badly."

He said he had not seen trade affected as badly in the six years he had been at the pub.

Businesses in the Turner Road development are also hard hit. Sandy Rush, manager of Courts furniture store, said: "People are not going to come here if they are going to battle to get here. It's very very quiet. Customers who do come in are very welcome."

She added: "This is the time of year when we want to get customers in for Christmas and to get their presents."

She said: "We would like them to stop the work now for good. I understand it's for our benefit but why do it up to Christmas when people are buying?"

The work is already expected to halt between December 21 and January 5 for a festive break but traders want the break to be much longer before Christmas.

The roadworks to link Turner Road and the Northern Approaches are due to finish by February, 2003.

A Highways Agency spokesman was unavailable for comment.

An Essex County Council spokeswoman said the developers are working to get the road developed as quickly as possible and concentrating on getting the work done speedily to minimise delays.

Published Tuesday October 22, 2002

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