Roadworks blamed as town firms lose trade

Traffic chaos around Stourport is disrupting businesses and forcing customers away from the town, struggling traders claimed today.

Businessman Ian Thomas has called roadworks in the town a "fiasco", saying trade has dropped between 15 and 20 per cent since they began.

Mr Thomas, aged 47, has owned vehicle rental company Rapid Rentals for around three years and says the Stourport Road business has suffered as customers don't want to get stuck in mounting traffic around the town to reach them.

"There are major roadworks going on in three roads around the town centre," he said.

"These might seem a distance apart but they all contribute."

Another business affected has been car repairs firm Morecraft, in Worcester Road, Stourport, which has been operating for around 50 years.

Owner Carl Massey, 74, said: "There has been a noticeable drop in trade since the roadworks began." Traffic has been disrupted on roads including the Gilgal during major roadworks which are due to continue until October 25.

Mitton Councillor Michael Salter said of the work: "It was unavoidable and everyone is suffering but it needed doing."