Businesses have hit out at disruption caused by a multi-million pounds expands to the Ashford Designer Outlet.

Major roadworks in Newtown began last Monday, causing chaos to the area for at least 32 weeks.

Newtown Road will be closed at the junction with Romney Marsh Road until November due to £90 million expansion at the Designer Outlet which includes improvements to the area.

The roadworks, which are being carried out by Walker Construction, will see the two roundabouts removed, a signalised junction installed and pedestrian crossings created.

However, the work is causing major concerns for businesses in the area, who believe that the detour - either through Hythe Road and Junction 10 or Bad Munstereifel Road - will have a severe impact.

Ian Rampton, who is landlord of The Albion pub in South Willesborough along with his wife Nik, said: "We are very much a community pub that tries our best to really look after our locals.

"With Newtown Road closure for 32 weeks, I think that this will probably have a huge detrimental effect on our business, through no fault of our own.

"The majority of custom comes from the town centre on a weekend and they will now have to pay double for a taxi because of the detour, which will be too expensive.

"I'm all for change and I think it's really good what they're doing but they're going to be closed for 32 weeks, that's cutting off my lifeline."

He continued: "In the four years we've been here we've invested heavily into the pub, but costs are going up and we're trying to survive.

"There's been no apology's or even an acknowledgement to what's happening. Although Cllr Galpin, from Ashford Borough Council, has been very helpful "

Mr Rampton has been contacting officials to see if anyone can help businesses, such as putting on a shuttle bus, during the roadworks period.

Cllr Graham Galpin said: "We are examining what options we can use to help people affected, it is important that we all work together.

"It's our responsibility to do what we can do to help."

A spokeswoman from McArthurGlen said: "We recognise the inconvenience that these works may cause to those who use the local road network. Despite this temporary disruption, these improvement works will provide significant long-term benefits for the area, making it easier and safer for people to move between the station and the town centre.

"McArthurGlen has committed £1.5 million to the local community as part of this project, which will include the introduction of a shuttle bus from the Designer Outlet to the town centre, a re-landscaped access route from Ashford International Station and the town centre to improve safety and access as well as further support Ashford Borough Council’s improvements to the town centre."