TRADERS fear for their livelihoods while major works are carried out to make Romsey’s Church Street more pedestrian-friendly.

They are worried shoppers will abandon Church Street for the next 14 weeks while it is given a makeover, including the installation of a shared surface for vehicles and pedestrians.

Deputy manager of Oasis Christian Centre Heather Wilman said: “We are very concerned from a retail point of view because of the lack of access for deliveries and we are very worried it will put people off coming to Church Street.

"Fourteen weeks is a long time for the road to be closed. We could be badly hit by this.

"Businesses are already struggling, it’s not great in the retail trade at the moment.”

The £500,000 enhancement work starts on Monday and is aimed at encouraging more pedestrians into Church Street and deterring its use as a short cut between the Market Place and Greatbridge on the northern edge of the town.

Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council highways bosses are behind the work, which is the first phase of a multi-million pound scheme that includes installing a buff-coloured shared surface for pedestrians and motorists and putting in pinch points at the junction with the Market Place and outside the borough council’s offices just north of the junction of Church Place.

Existing pathways in Church Street will be widened and kerbing embedded into the road surface will separate vehicles from pedestrians.

New street furniture will be installed including bollards.

Contractors Colas say they will keep disruption to a minimum and will work with traders and residents to ensure that access is maintained to businesses and homes in Church Street.

Spokeswoman Linzi Stean said: “We are committed to working with local residents and businesses to mitigate any inconvenience or disruption. Pedestrian access and access for deliveries and emergency services will be maintained at all times. It will all be worth it when the work is finished.”