FRUSTRATED traders fear they will lose out on festive trade due to roadwork 'chaos' in the lead up to Christmas.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) have been digging up the roads between Ascot and Chobham as part of its £7.4 million project to provide power to a new housing development under Crest Nicholson.
The project has led to a series of road closures, including Ascot High Street, London Road, Station Hill and Brockenhurst Road.
Joy Macdonnell, who runs Coco Boutique on Brockenhurst Road, is among traders who fear the effects the closures will have on passing trade. She described the situation as 'chaotic'.
She added: "It is madness and there is complete disregard for us. The roads are chaotic around here, they are being closed and no one is getting informed as to when it is happening.
"Traffic cones are also being put out but no works are happening, so it is just preventing customers from stopping by."
The business owner says she has suffered low profits, reportedly alongside other businesses on the road, due to the lack of passing cars no longer stopping at the shop.
Ms Mcdonnell added: "I am thousands of pounds down and my Christmas trade is wiped.
"You cannot operate a business when cars do not pass by. Jobs could also be lost because of this.
"Christmas is meant to be the busiest time for us and I am fearing the worst."
Mark Cooke Hair in Brockenhurst Road has also reportedly struggled with similar problems as they rely on taking in bookings.
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Joy said they have experienced customers not turning up to their appointments because of how much traffic there is around the roadworks.
This is not the first time that resident's have vented their frustrations over the planned electricity project.
In April, residents attended the SSE community engagement meeting and explained how they feared the works would cause them to lose out on business.
SSEN said it has been working closely with Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council, residents and local businesses throughout the project to help ease disruption.
A spokeswoman for the company said: "Discussions over any potential concerns are held regularly and as a result of a further meeting this week, SSEN and RBWM have agreed alterations to the programme of works in order to accommodate the needs of those living and working in the area."
Changes include the work in Chertsey Road being suspended until January when it will recommence between Highams Lane and Windsor Road roundabout.
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Brockenhurst Road is closed from Victoria Road to Lyndhurst Road/Station Hill, there is no access to Lyndhurst Industrial Estate to tall vehicles as access is via Station Road under the railway bridge.
The firm said access to the business in south Ascot will remain open pedestrians at all times and the car park near Crown Hill Court is fully open.
It has also said that works will be suspended today until Sunday morning and Brockenhurst Road will be open to traffic during this period.
The spokeswoman added: "SSEN would like to thank road users for their patience during these works and ask that they continue to follow the signposted diversion marked with solid black circles along A329 Ascot High Street, A30 London Road and A330 Devenish Road."
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