A FURIOUS market trader has blasted transport chiefs after claiming long-running roadwork is denting morale and town centre business.

Jonathan Hill, who runs a card stall on the Wycombe market, has branded the four-month resurfacing of the High Street and Church Street “a joke”.

The work has prevented buses from stopping in the High Street before travelling on to the bus station – which Mr Hill claims has put off many shoppers, particularly the elderly, from visiting the market end of town.

Mr Hill said: “It’s a joke. We have lost so many customers, especially the elderly because they do not want, or are unable, to walk in the rain from either Easton Street or the bus station. It’s too far for them.

“I must be missing at least 50 regular customers. I’ve seen a couple round town and they said they’ve not visited because of the bus situation.

“Times are tough at the moment; if I sell 50 £1.50 cards a day, that’s my rent effectively covered, so losing regular customers is taking its toll.

“There’s so much going against the High Street at the moment and it just seems like no-one at either council really cares or will do anything about it - it’s like there’s some kind of vendetta against the High Street.”

Transport for Buckinghamshire began treating the High Street in February before moving on to Church Street in April.

But this was delayed by the winter weather and a mix-up with a contractor which supplied a “slightly different shade” of road surface. This was amended at “no extra cost”, the county council said.

TfB said the resurfacing is due to be completed on Thursday, subject to the weather, and buses would return to their usual route through the town once the work has been completed.

Spokesman Rosemary Bryant added: “Whilst the surfacing work has been carried out we have taken the opportunity to create a slightly new layout for buses.

“We have removed the traffic signals to give a clear line of sight for the buses to reduce queuing and to make it easier for pedestrians.”