TRADERS in Bromsgrove fear their businesses could be forced to close as roadworks going on outside their premises continue to drive customers away.

Paul Gill and Tim Court, joint owners of P and T Models, in Worcester Road, have launched a petition calling on Bromsgrove District Council to compensate traders also feeling the pinch.

They say since the £270,000 scheme to revamp the historic area of the town - which could be called Bromsgrove Village after the project - their trade has slumped by at least 50 per cent.

With another two months of roadworks on the cards Tim fears it could mean the end of their business which is just six months old.

He said: "We are already tightening our belts and it could be touch and go if we last the next weeks.

"Other traders are in the same boat and are supporting the petition and sending letters to the council."

Proprietor of Bromsgrove Trophies, Lynne Lolley is considering moving her business out of the town. It has been here for 20 years.

She said: "We rely on passing trade and customers being able to park outside to drop things off.

"The workmen are widening the footpaths so after the work has finished it will be a squeeze for delivery vehicles to stop off.

"The road will become gridlocked."

Bromsgrove Marketing Partnership chairman Anita Mears, who also runs a shop in Worcester Road, said: "Unfortunately many of the shop owners in Worcester Road were not here when the initial discussions about the scheme were held.

"Although there has been some obvious and expected disruption the contractors have been making every effort to minimise inconvenience to trade.

"We all look forward to the end result which will benefit all."

The council's head of performance services John Moody said: "It's short term disruption for long term gain.

"We will consider these issues in the usual way."