FURIOUS traders have slammed a council for closing a town’s high street on the run up to Christmas.

The resurfacing of Sedgefield’s main shopping street was due to take place in two phases but yesterday morning (Monday, December 8) traders in High Street arrived to find workmen digging up the road.

Philip Smith, who owns Number 4 tearoom, and Richard Gray, who runs Tickety Boo gift shop, said trade had already been affected by the road closure, which coincides with one of the busiest shopping weeks of the year.

They have accused Durham County Council of flouting procedure, with many businesses not receiving notification letters and only finding out about the work five days before.

Brian Buckley, strategic highways manager at Durham County Council, said a decision had been made to carry out all of the work this week instead of starting with Front Street and moving on to High Street next year.

However, in an email to Mr Gray seen by The Northern Echo, an engineer from the council’s highways department said a misunderstanding between the authority and the contractors led to the wrong stretch of road being dug up.

Mr Smith, 58, said: “I feel very disgruntled. Due process and best practise rules are imposed on anyone who wants to do anything in County Durham but this experience and previous experiences give the impression the council picks and chooses when it adheres to them.

“I’m not against the work but the lead up to Christmas is our busiest time of year. The High Street is dead.”

Mr Gray, 38, added: “Our takings were down yesterday and the shop is quiet again today.

“We are also missing out on impulse buys because there is no passing trade. The timing is diabolical.”

Mr Buckley said: “We have a statutory duty to maintain the road and initially work was planned to take place over two phases.

“However, following a recent inspection that revealed further deterioration of the road surface, we decided to carry out all of the work at the same time prior to the onset of severe winter weather.

“We understand the traders’ concerns regarding the timing of the scheme and we will endeavour to ensure that we work closely with them to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.”