An accident waiting to happen is how a Margate pub owner describes roadworks outside his premises at Fort Hill.

Jon Wood, who runs the Britannia, is amazed there hasn’t been an accident so far in the roadworks which began this month and are expected to take six months to de-dual the carriageways.

The hill has become a forest of orange plastic barriers and cones along one side of its length while the work is carried out by contractors for Kent Highways. Five of the Britannia’s 20 parking spaces have been temporarily lost as a result.

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The Britannia is one of the county’s best known pubs for live music and customers come for miles around to enjoy the regular weekend gigs. It’s also the only business along the road.

Jon said: “It’s a godsend there haven’t been any accidents by the roadworks yet. People swing around from the Winter Gardens and don’t realise the roadworks are there until it’s almost too late. A few times, drivers have ended up landing in my car park by mistake.

“A slow sign has been put up but it really needs to be moved 100 yards back along the road to give people more warning.

“We’ve had letters telling us the roadworks were coming but I had no idea there would be so much uproar involved. Access to my car park has been closed off and drilled into at different times but I am promised the work will be cleared at weekends when the pub gets really busy.

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“I emailed Thanet North MP Roger Gale about this and he passed on my views to Kent Highways. I’m appeased for the moment but not completely happy. I shall certainly be keeping a close eye on things.”

He stressed there were no plans to change the line-up of bands planned to appear during the months ahead but fears takings may fall as people may be put off going to the pub.

Jon said: “I shall be seeking compensation for any fall in takings as this is a situation that is not of my making. I don’t see why I should suffer.”

Dave Kinnear of Margate Town Partnership was more upbeat about the Fort Hill road works and those in Harbour Parade and the old town area. The latter two sets are being paid for by the Margate Renewal Partnership.

He said: “It’s hassle worth putting up with as the benefits will be obvious when the work has been completed. It’s great to see Margate moving forward at last and I’m quite excited about the prospects.”

A Margate Renewal Partnership spokesman said the work in Harbour Parade and the old town were due to be completed by the end of May and good progress was being made on the work at the moment.

Phil Scrivener of KCC said: “We are always concerned about road safety issues and would like to hear from the landlord about his concerns so that we can consider them.”

Anybody who has worries about the safety of roadworks can contact Kent Highways on 08458 247 800 or log on to kent.gov.uk/highway