A pub landlord says passing trade has almost become non-existent since gas works closed a road outside his boozer.

Stuart Hart who runs The Angel in Rainham said there was nothing he could do as the road closure was extended for another eight weeks due to the ongoing works.

Engineers from gas company SGN have been working to replace a section of the gas network in Lower Rainham Road due to the condition of the pipes. This will ensure the continued safe and reliable supply to nearby properties.

But after attempts to replace the section were made earlier this month engineers are now undertaking emergency repairs at the site and that work is expected to last eight weeks.

Stuart said because of the closure outside the pub his business has taken a hit.

The publican said: "We have got one customer who is a regular. We have got no passing trade at all.

"It has just ruined us. People cannot get past and it is going to be eight weeks of this. We are losing trade all the time.

"We get quite a lot of cyclists stopping by and usually quite a few sit in the garden but they are not now. It is a complete waste of time opening in the mornings.

"We are just losing money. There is nothing I can do about it, I have just got to sit here and take it.

"The trouble is it is all around Rainham at the moment. It is just difficult to get here."

The 69-year-old who lives above the boozer said trade has dropped around 40% and he only expects it to get worse.

He added: "I have had to get rid of a barmaid and my son who works here has had to find another job as their wages cost too much. We are paying out more than we are bringing in.

"It has been disastrous. We started getting busier after Covid but now because of the road works we have just lost it again."

Stuart, who has run The Angel for eight years, says they rely heavily on passing trade, cyclists and walkers but even the regulars have stopped coming in since the works started.

The pub on the junction of Station Road and Lower Rainham Road does have a car park which attracts drivers and a pub garden but both are empty.

In the evenings Stuart says trade does pick up, even if it has dropped off slightly from the norm.

The next set of gas works to replace the affected pipes began on Wednesday, July 13 and is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete.

Motorists are unable to turn left from Station Road but there are temporary traffic lights to ensure vehicles can travel around the closure to the right.

Signed diversion routes are in place for affected road users and access is being maintained for residents and businesses.

It's not the first Kent boozer to fall foul of works with Tenterden businesses and councillors complaining a major road closure is "destroying" trade in the town.

Spokesman for utility company SGN, Dan Brown said: "We understand people can get frustrated by roadworks.

"However, the new plastic pipe has a lifespan of around 80 years, which means that when this work is complete, Rainham residents and businesses will be able to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come."