TRADERS are furious after workmen closed their road so they could start digging it up.

A scheme to resurface Bluehouse Avenue, in Clacton, started on Monday.

But business owners say they weren’t warned about the scale of the work and claim the road closure is hitting trade.

Hairdresser Irene Palmer, who runs Ahead of Hair, said: “They are stopping people from turning left from Flatford Drive into Bluehouse Avenue.

“People can’t get up and down the road.

“We weren’t given any notification and all of us rely on passing trade.

“We are having to pay staff for being here and no one is doing any business.

“I contacted the council but they just say it has to go through the complaints system.

“They say the work won’t be completed until next week or even the week after.”

Mrs Palmer said pedestrians have to duck under ropes where the road has been cordoned off.

“They are having to lift the rope up to get underneath – it’s ridiculous,” she said.

Billy Ahmed, who runs Beano’s convenience store says he could be as much as £500 out of pocket.

“It’s affecting us a lot,” he said.

“I’m getting no customers. We did get a letter but they said they would leave the shops alone.

“Local people rely on our shop but now they can’t park anywhere and there is all this noise and dust.

“It’s going to cost me £400-£500.

Michael Faria runs the Happy Cod 2 fish and chip shop.

He said: “When they sent the letter they said they would leave one side of the road open but they’ve closed it all.

“All our customers used to park at the front. Now I’m not making any money because no customers are coming in.

“They can’t park and this is going to go on for two or there weeks.”

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “This road has had the top layers planed off and sealed to prepare for a complete new surface to come.

“As usual with this work, we do it in sections so that drivers can use those sections we’re not working on at that time.

“Also we try to allow people through if they have an urgent need where we can, but at times for public and staff safety we do have to fully close a section of road.

“Shoppers can of course park nearby and walk to the shops. We hope people understand that we have to work efficiently to keep Essex roads safe and serviceable for everyone.”