Traders fear their businesses will suffer now a main road into Gravesend town centre has been closed for more than three weeks for major repairs.

Kent Highways has previously warned those living and working in Wrotham Road to expect disruption as engineers resurface and restructure part of the road.

The work started on Saturday, (August 29) and will go on until at least Saturday, September 21.

The stretch between Wingfield Road and Zion Place is now shut and motorists are being diverted.

Business owners told the Messenger they feared trade could be hit by the closure.

Ramesh Kanagalingam, owner of East West Food & Wine, said: “We have daily deliveries so I don’t know what will happen to them.

“It will be a big problem for us. If the weather is bad it could be shut for longer, but what can we do?

“I understand they need to repair the road but they should listen to the shops about how they are going to survive.”

Harry Chima, of Chima & Sons Butchers, added: “With the road closed for three weeks it’s going to be hard to get our deliveries in.

“Parking is difficult anyway but now the side roads have all got residents’ permits. All the businesses in this road rely on passing trade.

“It’s just the timing that is a shame, it would have been better if it was slap bang in the middle of the holidays.”

Ranjit Singh, owner of Desi Sweet Centre, said: “Of course it is going to affect trade but if they have no option then they must go ahead. If there is another way they must think about it because it will cause problems for the shops. It is a busy time of year.”

Receptionist Sophie Walsh, of Ravens Nest tattoo parlour, added: “We rely on people walking past. We will often get calls from people in town asking us where we are so if the road is closed they might decide not to come.”

Some say they welcome the improvements despite the adverse impact it could have on businesses.

Rita Shergill, of Rita’s Fashion Fabrics, said: “There is no point ranting and raving about it.

“The road has been bad for a few years so if they need to do the work we just need to let them get on with it. When the lorries go past you can hear the buildings vibrate.”

Kent County Council has written to people living in Wrotham Road to explain the work was scheduled to avoid shutting more roads near the town centre at the same time as a series of closures were brought in for gas line replacement repairs near Parrock Road.

The authority fears the road could collapse unless it is repaired.

In a leaflet to people living Wrotham Road, Kent Highways said: “We will do all that we can to accommodate your needs however, at times, we may need to ask that you make alternative arrangements.

“With a project of this magnitude and complexity, disruption is inevitable but we will be doing our utmost to make sure that this is kept to an absolute minimum.

“We apologise in advance for the inconvenience caused and will try to keep this to a minimum.”

Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained while road closure points will be manned 24 hours a day to allow traffic through if necessary.

For information on the Wrotham Road Improvement Scheme visit www.kent.gov.uk