YEAR-LONG roadworks on Pensnett High Street are almost finished – but a trader insists it is far from the end of the misery for local businesses.

The road will fully re-open to traffic on June 3, much to the relief of High Street firms, just over a year after the works began as part of a £6.3million congestion-busting scheme.

But sandwich shop owner Teg Singh – who is also concerned over the safety of the new-look carriageway – is worried the passing trade decimated by the works may never return.

Mr Singh, who runs Loaf Sandwich Bar, said: “Trade has been horrible since the roadworks began.

“It’s nearly finished now but because a big chunk of my driveway has been taken away to accommodate the new road, that has affected my on-site parking.

“My Honda Civic just about fits on the drive but larger vehicles like Sprinter vans and pickup trucks won’t have room to park – it would be virtually impossible for them to reverse off.

“A lot of my trade was passing trade with workmen in their vans. It will be hard for them to park on the drive now.

“My biggest worry is if any cars try to turn right off my drive onto the road which will be a mini dual carriageway. It could be dangerous.

“It was bad enough before when it was three lanes – if one person gives way but others don’t, there could be accidents.

The 34-year-old praised Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council for their fairness during the process – but is worried about what will happen when their compensation payments end.

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Mr Singh, who told the News of his concerns about the roadworks when they began last year, added: “The council has been fully fair and I’ve only survived because they have paid me loss of earnings every month.

“It’s basically paid my rent and bills. Without that money I would have boarded the shop up by now.

“But that money will come to an end soon when the roadworks are finished and my big worry is attracting customers back again.

“People find new routes to go to work and I don’t blame them – the traffic has been that bad.

“It’s been over a year, 13 or 14 months, since this started and I’ve been making no money from the shop at all.”

This week is the final week of daylight work on the road with all routes set to be available on Friday (May 25), albeit operating with three-way temporary signals.

The road will open fully on Sunday, June 3, following a series of night-time resurfacing works.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We’re really pleased that the project is on schedule as we know that there has been a great deal of disruption to residents and business throughout.

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“However we think the final results will make a major difference to people travelling in and through the borough.”

Addressing Mr Singh’s concerns, she added: “Where a compulsory purchase order has been issued, compensation is calculated in accordance with the national compensation code.

“We are currently in discussion with the land owner about possible small changes to the parking area and we will continue to work closely with the business throughout this process.”