It follows warnings from operators last week that prolonged road closures and infrastructure works were damaging hospitality businesses, disrupting deliveries and leaving venues with limited financial recourse.
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Gastropub the Three Hills in Bartlow, Cambridgeshire, has raised concerns over an ongoing road closure on the main route between Ashdon and Bartlow, which has been in place since 15 May for works being carried out by Affinity Water.
Managing director Emma Harrison said the closure had made access to the pub considerably more difficult, with customers approaching from Ashdon facing a detour of around 25 minutes.
She said the works, which were initially expected to conclude by the end of June but have now been extended until 1 August, were causing a direct loss of trade during one of the busiest periods of the year.
‘Fully recognise the impact’
In response, Affinity Water apologised for the disruption and said the works formed part of a wider programme to replace ageing water infrastructure.
A spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry for the level of disruption these works are causing to local businesses, residents and road users, and we fully recognise the impact this is having on hospitality venues in the area.”
Affinity said the extension was due to challenging ground conditions, which had slowed progress. The section currently requiring the road closure is expected to be completed by 1 August 2026, while the wider programme of works in the area is scheduled to continue into 2027.
The company said advance notification letters had been issued to directly affected businesses and residents before the works started.
It added that, due to the location of the pipework and the width of the road, it was not possible to safely maintain through access during this phase of works.
Affinity said it had processes in place for businesses to submit a loss of business claim where applicable.
A spokesperson for Essex Highways said it understood residents’ frustration regarding utility works on Church Hill, Ashdon, but said Affinity Water was responsible for planning, communicating and delivering the works.
“As the local highways authority, we do not initiate or design utility works, but we ensure they are carried out safely and with minimal disruption,” the spokesperson said.
“Essex Highways is responsible for managing the county’s road network but does not have the authority to prevent utility works from happening as they have a statutory right to access and maintain their networks.”
‘People go somewhere else’
Other operators have also warned of disruption.
Paul McAstocker, operator of The Wooden Cross in Crouch End said recent Thames Water roadworks outside the pub had negatively affected daytime trade and access to the site.
While evening trade was less severely affected because customers tend to choose The Wooden Cross as a destination pub, McAstocker said the daytime coffee and bagel offer had suffered.
“What it did do is it negatively affected our daytime trade, because people couldn’t get to it. We’re creatures of habit. If you started going somewhere and then you can’t get there, you go somewhere else. Even when those roadworks are gone, you’re already now familiar with your second stop.”
The Lesters Arms in Brewood, Staffordshire, has also urged customers to continue supporting the business after footfall dropped by more than 30% following the closure of a canal bridge.
Owner Billy Hutchinson said the closure had affected customers travelling from nearby towns and villages.
“Since the closure, many regular customers have simply stopped visiting because the journey has become confusing or considerably longer due to poor signage and the roads used for diversions not being suitable for increased volumes of traffic. For a hospitality business, this level of disruption is extremely damaging.”
Operators said the latest examples reinforced the need for clearer timelines, better signage, early consultation, practical access planning and compensation routes where works cause demonstrable loss of trade.
