A BUSINESS owner has hit out over the "contempt" shown to "struggling businesses" during recent roadworks.

Peter Raymont from Pokesdown Antique Centre has called for compensation over BCP Council roadworks which he says has prevented footfall to stores along Christchurch Road in Boscombe.

Mr Raymont from Pokesdown Antique Centre, a store which has been on Christchurch Road for more than 30 years, said they, along with many other small businesses, are finding it impossible to trade.

The road closure has been part of a series of work taking place in Boscombe over the past four weeks.

READ MORE: Businesses report reduced footfall during road works on Christchurch Road

However, a council spokesperson confirmed a clerical error meant some of the notices displayed said the work finished on March 21, rather than the offical date of March 23.

The scheme has been delayed by a day and is due to open at 6am today.

In an email to the council, Mr Raymont said: “I am totally amazed at the complete and utter contempt shown to businesses that are struggling along Christchurch Road in Boscombe and Pokesdown.

“At present due to your deciding to fritter away taxpayers money on totally resurfacing and therefore closing the main Christchurch Road, it is pointless attempting to open our business.

“To add insult to injury not one single diversion sign has been put up leaving angry drivers to drive up and down the residential side roads endangering residents and their pets.

“I trade from a shop in Pokesdown which is lined with red plastic fences preventing shoppers from even getting to the shops on either side of the road, further compounding the problem.

“I would suggest compensation for loss of earnings for all the businesses concerned with an individual letter sent to all parties from BCP Council.”

Bournemouth Echo:

In reply, a spokesperson from BCP Council said: “This is a high profile scheme being delivered shortly after a difficult time for everybody, not just businesses. However, the alternative would have been much worse.

“The resurfacing works to Christchurch Road and Ashley Road were essentially aimed at saving the carriageway from further deterioration.

“Had these works been delayed much longer our fear was substantial lengths of the carriageway would fail and would require reconstructing from the foundation upwards.

“This would have been unplanned and overall would most likely substantially increases the disruption, cost and duration of the works."

Other businesses say the impact of the works has been minimal. Richard Mason, the manager of vintage store, Clobber said: “I think they've done a wonderful job.

“I know they've worked in sections along Christchurch Road so there's been a problem in Christchurch Road for the last couple of weeks but this section has only been closed for two days and we've got a brand new road surface.

“Whereas before the cars made quite a lot of noise going over the dips, now we’re going to have a nice quiet road, so we're very pleased.”