Stafford businesses were faced with roadworks in the town

Businesses have been left frustrated by a series of roadworks that have hit their trade.

Recent works have taken place on a number of roads in Stafford, including the A34, A513 Beaconside, A449 Wolverhampton Road, Doxey Road and Chell Road.

Residents said the closures or temporary traffic lights installed as a result had caused widespread disruption and some businesses said this had hit their finances.

Staffordshire County Council said it understood the frustration and apologized for any inconvenience caused.

Kully, from the Windmill Fish Bar on Castle Hill, just off Doxey Road, said she only heard about the nine-month work to build a new cycle path when the signs went up.

In addition to the disruption that resulted in fewer customers visiting the fish bar, she also spoke about the noise made while workers were on site.

“It has so much influence on the companies. This is my livelihood. It’s really hurting my business financially,” she told BBC Midlands Today.

She added that it had been ‘mental torture’ for businesses in the area and that there had been no help for those affected.

Greg Burgher, head of GBD Rescue and Recovery Stafford, said some roadworks had been going on for longer than he could remember.

“It’s been long enough to get used to the fact that there are roadworks everywhere now, and that shouldn’t be like that,” he said.

“Stafford used to be a great town and right now it’s terrible. It makes me feel like I want to get out of the city.”

Resident Darren said: “It’s a bloodbath. I’ve lived here all my life, born and raised in Stafford. The town of Stafford is dying due to the closure of all the shops, but who would want to come to Stafford with all the roadwork?

Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, said: “I fully understand the frustration these road improvements are causing and I apologize for any inconvenience caused to motorists.”

But he said residents had told the authority that the quality of the province’s roads was their priority and that carrying out the work “often causes delays”.

“I sympathize with drivers, residents and companies. It is of the utmost importance that we work with them during this period and we will provide regular updates on the work,” he added.