Traders fear roadworks will cost them thousands

Shopkeepers in the New Forest say they could lose thousands of pounds and fear some businesses will close because of eight weeks of roadworks.

A 25m-stretch (82ft) of Brookley Road in Brockenhurst will be closed from Tuesday 22 April.

Hampshire County Council is carrying out drainage works, installing a speed bump and extending the pavement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.

But some business owners say the closure comes at the start of a busy summer season and will fall over two lucrative bank holiday weekends.

A petition calling for a delay until the autumn has reached 1,000 signatures.

Nicola Jose, who runs the Bakehouse Bakery, said the damage over the coming months "could take 10 years" to recover from.

"It's going to cost us at least £20,000. People get new routines, the ing trade, the builders. It's the recovery of getting these people back," she added.

David Chislett owns Grovely Pets and said traders had previously been told the work would be done out of holiday season.

"You just have to go outside and look at our pavements," he said.

"There are potholes everywhere and instead they're going to give us a speed hump in a place where the cars are doing 10 to 15mph down the road. Why do we need a speed hump":[]}