A village pub is losing trade because of roadworks at an accident blackspot which have blocked the building off from the rest of the road.

The King's Arms pub in Clacton Road, Frating, on the junction of Great Bentley Road and Bromley Road, has been completely blocked off by 3ft high barriers, which were put there by the workmen.

Temporary four-way traffic lights were in operation while workmen put in permanent traffic lights and the work, which is set to finish in May, has meant chaos for road users and staff at the pub.

They are manually operated during peak times and are removed at weekends.

Bruce Durrell, deputy manager at the King's Arms, said: "It's affecting the business without a doubt because obviously people see the barriers and see all the road works and think we are shut."

Mr Durrell, who has worked at the pub for 2 years, said the workmen had put up signs which said the pub was still open but the pub has still been affected.

A county council spokesman said the temporary lights were due to be there until the end of April and the new four-way system - which includes two pedestrian signals - up and running by early or mid May.

She pointed out that work reconstructing the footpath outside was also being carried out.

Published Monday, March 18, 2002