Major businesses have hit out at the A34 roadworks which they claim are ruining trade.

The northbound carriageway of the ring road is closed between the Botley interchange and Peartree roundabout in Oxford for the next three weeks - and thousands of drivers have been caught up in the ensuing gridlock.

Now drivers are avoiding the city like the plague - and businesses say this has had a major impact on trade.

Brian Evans, duty manager at Halfords Ltd, on the Botley Road, said: "The roadworks have had quite a large effect on our trade. Most of it is passing trade and motorists are not prepared to come down the Botley Road. Every customer who comes in to the shop comments on the traffic."

He added: "Business is down by at least 25 per cent, but some weeks it can be hit by as much as 50 per cent."

Barry Tanswell, general manager of Marks & Spencer for the Oxfordshire region, said: "There is no doubt there has been an impact, but I would stress to people that they should not be put off from coming into the city centre because during the day access is no problem."

Terence Field, chairman of the Oxford Retail and Business Group, said: "The retail and business community has not been involved in this major decision that has clearly had an immediate and devastating effect on people's lives in and around the city.

"The congestion and chaos caused has had a major impact on trading conditions within the city centre.

"When so many people are working so hard to attract people into the city, decisions that have a clear and such blatant disregard for the Oxford economy and its people cannot and should not be tolerated." Mr Field said the director of the Chamber of Commerce, Bill McCardle, would be writing to the city council and the Highways Agency to ask why there was not more extensive consultation with the business community before the decision to start work on the A34.

The Highways Agency refused to comment.

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