A BUSINESS owner says protracted roadworks on the Mold Road near Wrexham is decimating his income.

Steven Jones, business partner at Jones Brothers Farm Shop, says takings have been hit since water firm Hafren Dyfrdwy started works on the A541 in August.

Road restrictions have deterred the passing trade his business relies upon and Mr Jones says there are issues with safety for motorists entering and exiting the premises on a stretch of road with a 50 mph speed limit.

The water firm is installing a new mains on Mold Road and it said initially lane closures would be in force until December 11.

Mr Jones said: “It’s been a nightmare especially when they are doing work outside the entrance. It can be very dangerous as cars turn to come in off the main road. The visibility is zero and our customers can’t get onto the main road.

“When the work started in August I did ask the water company if they could possibly reduce the speed limit to 30mph.”

The Farm Shop owner says he has frequently been forced to tell staff to go home because there are not enough customers to serve. He is considering making a claim for lost business and has asked Hafren Dyfrdwy for its compensation forms.

“We are reliant on drive-by customers, in fact 99 per cent of them drive onto our premises, so the road works have really affected our business. We have got part-time staff and as a result of this we are only calling them in as and when we need them,” he added.

Hafren Dyfrdwy says the works are “very slightly behind schedule”, and it will offer compensation if businesses can show they have been affected. A section of the adjoining Stansty Chain Road, which had been closed due to the works, has reopened.

A spokesman for the water company said: “We’ve been working really hard on Mold Road to install new water pipes which will mean less leaks and bursts and make water supplies much more secure for our customers.

“Work is going well, but due to ground conditions we are very slightly behind schedule, but we will be finished well before Christmas.”

“We want to say sorry to anyone who has been affected by this work and if any businesses feel that they have been impacted we will of course compensate where appropriate. We would ask people to get in touch with us so that we can help.”

Hafren Dyfrdwy can be contacted on 0800 0858033.