TWO shopkeepers have reported falling trade following the start of work on Darlington's new link road.

George Wright, of Freshfayre, in Haughton Road, said people had avoided the road since work began on the Eastern Transport Corridor.

He said many customers from Hundens Lane are no longer walking to his nearby store.

Mr Wright said it was due to the closure of a footpath at the junction of Hundens Lane and Haughton Road, along with an underpass between Hundens Lane and Arnold Road.

Mr Wright said: "People are avoiding Haughton Road altogether because of the amount of roadworks we have had.

"I have been here more than 20 years and we have always had traffic lights a couple of times a year.

"It is becoming a big problem. I am not trading at all. My trade does rely on passing trade. I am 50 per cent down since they started this Eastern Transport Corridor."

Mr Wright, 64, said the future of the shop was "extremely bleak".

He has claimed compensation after previous work on the road, which he said also reduced trade.

He added: "I haven't got any plans whatsoever. Will it improve after the roadworks are finished? I really don't know the answer."

Mr Wright has written to the council, asking for the reopening of the two paths.

Ranjit Singh, who owns nearby Premier Stores with her husband, said: "There is a problem because sometimes there are roadworks on a Saturday and Sunday.

"It does affect trade. We have quite a few less customers. But mainly people can't get in and out because it is now too far to walk."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "The closure of the underpass and pavement is a temporary measure while essential work is carried out in this area.

"A diversion has been put in place which ensures people can still get to the shop.

"Letters have been sent to residents in the area telling them about the diversion."