A frustrated trader says roadworks blocking part of his street has led to it becoming a forgotten part of town and is putting customers off visiting his shop.

North Street in Ashford’s town centre was closed for four months due to water works in the area earlier this year.

Following that essential maintenance by Southern Water, South East Water has now closed the road again this week to allow work for a new connection to take place.

Workers moved on to the site yesterday (Monday) and are expected to finish the work on Wednesday.

Ryan Vickers, owner of Billy’s Pie and Mash, opened the store in July last year, promising visitors a slice of the East End.

Yet, despite a good start to life in Ashford, business has since stagnated and Mr Vickers feels the area has become forgotten despite being just 50 yards off the main high street.

Speaking to KentOnline, he said: “There were big signs saying road closed, and when you looked down at all the fencing and hoarding, certainly some of the older generations would be wary, they wouldn’t know if it was dangerous or not.

“Once they looked down there and saw all this, they skipped it and went somewhere else, and that went on for four months.

“It’s a lot easier just to keep walking. I’m sure other cafes benefitted from the road not being open, and since then, it’s been tough to get that momentum back. People get used to a routine, and getting them back is hard once that's interrupted.

“I didn’t grow up in Ashford, but I've come to love the town and its people but it's between a rock and a hard place. Businesses can't survive unless people come into town, but when people come into town, there's nothing to come into town for.

“The council has got to think outside the box and find a way of getting people back into town because you can’t have an empty town; its people’s livelihoods.”

The area also suffered a hit to its footfall last year when retail giant Wilko collapsed, leading to the closure of its Ashford branch in neighbouring Park Mall.

In a statement, Ashford Borough Council (ABC) wanted to assure residents that it remains committed to the town, including investing almost £3 million since 2022 in projects like the town centre business grants and UnFramed mural festival.

The council also pointed out the support for all areas of the town centre, including free parking, Christmas lights, and the annual Carnival of the Baubles events over the festive period, as a way to attract visitors to the town.

However, it was also addressed that not all schemes have seen success. The 2023 Christmas market in Elwick Place and the Lower High Street closed earlier than planned due to low visitor numbers.

Looking to the year ahead, a spokesperson for the council added: “As part of our work to expand market activity in the town centre, we are looking to support the current monthly Saturday United Makers of Kent Food and Creative Market that operates in Park Mall and on the High Street, to run more frequent markets during the Christmas period at weekends as well as on the Carnival of the Baubles day on Saturday, November 23.

“This will support the local existing market that brings in local traders and makers to sell their products.

“If successful and supported by local residents, this will also support the work of the cross-party group of councillors currently working on options for potential market provision improvements for the town.”

Previously, business owners also hit out at the noise from Southern Water emergency repair works in Ashford’s Lower High Street, saying they were losing vital trade as a result.

Kent County Council (KCC) assured residents that road closures only occur when essential works are required on the utility network.

A KCC spokesperson added in a statement: “We have a duty to allow utility companies to access their equipment, so we cannot decline reasonable requests.

“We do not have direct control over when companies can complete the works.

“North Street has been closed twice this year for essential utility company works by South East Water and Southern Water. These works have been at the same location but are completely separate and for different reasons.”

South East Water’s head of operations in Kent, Nick Bell, said: “We’re sorry to residents, commuters and traders in North Street, Ashford, for the disruption while our teams connect a new property to our drinking supply network.

“We understand road closures are frustrating, but they are vital for keeping the public and our workforce safe.

“We therefore thank residents, motorists and local businesses for their patience while the work takes place.”