TRADERS have clashed with Kinver councillors over road closures in the village which they say have hit business hard.

At a meeting of Kinver Parish Council on Wednesday March 7 shop owners claimed a consultation period about roadwork, to improve drainage in the High Street, left most people in the dark.

The meeting, packed with angry members of the village business community, heard allegations notification letters were not sent out and details of plans for the £180,000 scheme where not properly distributed.

Janice Bishop, from Jan's Fashions, said: "It is having a devastating effect on the village, I only moved my business back the village 18 months ago and wouldn't have if I had known.

"We all understand the work needs to be done, why weren't we told about it to air our views? "

Nazir Udin, from Kinver Tandouri, said: "They started work right in front of our restaurant, I didn't receive any notice.

"I never realised it was going to happen like that, business is down 40 per cent."

Parish Council chairman Jim Gosling said: "I don't understand how you weren't notified, this is a problem that we weren't aware of."

County Councillor Brian Edwards insisted plans were explained at a meeting in the village church hall and expressed amazement at claims traders did not know about it.

He said: "I can't believe they can say they weren't informed, I know they don't like what they have been told, they probably didn't listen."

The controversial work to ease flooding began in late February and is set to last 12 weeks with completion planned for just before the annual village festival.

Traders are keen to stress there is ample free parking available in the village and shops are open as usual during the work.