Traders say roadworks over the summer have been "devastating" for their businesses."My transactions have dropped 60% year-on-year because the footfall has dropped," said Nicky Mendoza, who runs shop Rose & Lyons.These included a sinkhole, the discovery of historic drainage channels and asbestos which needed to be safely removed."The signage has been so appalling, and people haven't known if the roads are open or closed.
"Bruton is a holiday destination, so this is the busiest time for businesses and people just aren't coming to visit," she said.Somerset Council said there was "no easy time to do this work" and it had tried to be flexible. A council spokesperson said: "We apologise for the disruption but would ask for patience, given the circumstances.
"The High Street had to be closed for the resurfacing and we've tried to be as flexible as we can by lifting it over the Bank Holiday period."There's no easy time to do this work but getting all of this done now saves disruption once schools are back and traffic levels return to normal levels."