Businesses based on the A49 between Ross-on-Wye and Harewood End are united in their current condemnation of Highways England following the start of resurfacing work on this main arterial road on Monday, July 22nd.

They accept work has to be carried out but they are furious at the lack of notice or consultation with them, as businesses, and the uncertainty over whether the road will be closed from one day to the next.

Highways England are carrying out roadworks on the A49 and told the Ross Gazette that they “are doing the work in two phases to keep disruption to a minimum.”

Phase 1, which takes place between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, involves the resurfacing of the A49 between the A40 and the A4317. This began on July 22nd, however, the work was postponed on Monday, July 22nd due to safety concerns.

Phase 2 involves the Harewood End Junction improvement. This was due to take place from August 19th to August 23rd using two-way temporary traffic signals on the A49 and a full closure of the A4317.

On Tuesday July 23rd, Highways England Project Manager, Don Haggart said: “Concerns regarding driver behaviour through the site led to work being held up yesterday. A large number of motorists were accessing the works without legitimate cause. The traffic management has now been reviewed to alleviate these issues and ensure the safety of our workforce. The works have been stood down while changes are made to the design today.”

A Highways England spokesperson told the Ross Gazette that the work should continue as normal on Wednesday, July 24th, which it did. However, several business owners were informed that work would be postponed again on Thursday, this time the reason given was the heat.

Sally and Mark Bailey, of Baileys Home Store, said that they have been trying to contact Highways England ever since they were made aware of the closures as they were so concerned about the impact on their business. They told the Gazette that have contacted their MP Jesse Norman and the parish council regarding the lack of consultation with businesses. In their letter to the parish council they said: "I do hope that this will not lead to yet another small business having to close due to council indifference and interference."

Kath Rapson, landlady at the Red Lion at Peterstow said that neither staff nor customers had been able to get through on Monday and if the situation continued they may have to lay staff off. This was echoed by the landlord at The Loughpool at Sellack.

Albert at the Yew Tree, Peterstow said: "The main issue we are facing is uncertainty. We have had different people at Highways giving us different information."

"When we first enquired what the promised ’access to frontages’ would be, we were told it would be single lane closures only. Obviously this isn’t the case. Then it took days for them to communicate how their ’airlock’ system would work and how anyone would be able to access our pub. Regardless of whether or not their intimidating blockade at either end of Peterstow on the A49 is passable, it does more than enough to deter all but the most determined visitor. This is going to reduce our business which, like many roadside village pubs, is reliant in part on the passing trade."

The Ross Gazette has tried to obtain more clarification from Highways England but we have not had a response yet. We hope to update this report through the day as we receive more information.UPDATE: MP Jesse Norman told the Ross Gazette this morning, Thursday, July 25th, that the work is being rescheduled. He said: "Closing the A49 during peak hours today has been a serious blow to local businesses in Peterstow and Ross-on-Wye. I was in immediate touch with the Chief Executive of Highways England, as well as with the project management team on the ground, and I am pleased to say the works have now been suspended. "I am now pressing for Highways England to reschedule the works, potentially moving to night-time working but with the support and agreement of the local community."