BUSINESSES owners have hit out at major roadworks they say are contributing to a lack of trade.

Temporary traffic lights on the busy Billericay crossroads where Tye Common, Western, and London roads meet have caused long tailbacks and caused problems for motorists trying to get to a parade of shops.

The roadworks, which are taking place to upgrade the town’s power network, have seen drivers sitting in traffic for 15 minutes and have left shopkeepers out of pocket.

Pararajasingam Sukee, 48, owner of off-licence Cellers in Western Road, said: “First the snow came, then the VAT rise, and now our customers can’t even stop off to buy their goods.

“I’ve lost quite a lot of trade since this started, including last weekend, of more than £700.

“We could not survive without the support of our customers.”

Mr Bhupendra Patel, 60, owner of Askhan Newsagents, also in Western Road, said: “My sales in the past week are low, and have gone from £1,700 to £400.

“We are paying our business rates to the council, while still suffering the consequences.”

A number of drivers caught in the jams have been seen going through the traffic lights on red because they had run out of patience.

Allen Sheen, 62, a motorist who lives in nearby Romney Road, said: “The whole thing is a joke.

“I’ve resorted to walking to the shops and taking short cuts to get around Billericay. This is a total nuisance.”

A spokeswoman for Essex County Council said: “The traffic lights are temporary lights, and are in place while EDF Energy carries out maintenance work. They are due to be finished this week.”

UK Power Networks is currently investing more than £1.5million to upgrade power supplies in Billericay. The majority of work will be completed by March.