Traders in Lavant Street, Petersfield, are up in arms over the planned closure of the road later this year.

Even though some traders feel the work is necessary, they are angry that there has been no notification of the planned work by Hampshire County Council and are concerned about the timing of the closure.

Roy Barr, who runs Hampshires Dry Cleaning, said: ÒItÕs madness. ItÕs bad enough when the French market is on Ð trade drops by half.Ó

This was a view echoed by Sandra Williams of Petersfield Electrical:ÒThis is ridiculous, our customers have big TVs to be repaired. No-one will be able to get their TV and heavy goods will not be delivered.Ó

Lavant Street is due to be closed off for one week later this year for road repairs to take place and Hampshire County Council had said the work could take place at anytime between September 9 and December 9.

But a county council spokesperson told the Herald: ÒThey will not take place at the same time as those in The Square. It is likely to be once those in The Square have finished.Ó

Eric Morgan, of butcherÕs W Morgan and Sons, said: ÒWe are all in favour of improvements being made and it is nice to think that the road will be brought up to scratch.

ÒWe have had no notification and no one has asked our opinion.

ÒWe wouldnÕt want it in December as it will affect people placing Christmas orders.Ó

At a Town Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday night, chairman George Watkinson said : ÒWe do not want Lavant Street blocked off when we have The Square blocked off Ð or any closure interfering with the busy Christmas period.Ó

Trevor Boyden, director of Petersfield Marketing Limited, was also concerned about the effect the work will have on Christmas trading.

He said: ÒThe December quarter is the most important for traders.

ÒLavant Street is already suffering in the economic growth of Petersfield.Ó

The Square is set to be closed for eight weeks, starting next month, for environmental improvements to be made.

These will include reducing the road width at various points and the introduction of new seats.