SHOPS, businesses and a doctor's surgery will be forced to close when work starts on a road improvement scheme.

Electricity supplies to High Street shops and homes in Tean will be cut for one day on Monday as contractors start work on a £500,000 improvement scheme on the busy main road through the village.

Highways managers are pressing ahead with the project even though concerns over the relocation of a pedestrian crossing remain unresolved.

The A522 through Tean will close from Monday until March 31. The work, which involves highways and pavement resurfacing, is expected to take 14 weeks.

Among shops affected by the power cut are the Post Office and Shades Hairdressing salon, owned by Lynn Plant.

Businesses were given six days' notice of work on the power cables and have been told they are not entitled to compensation.

Mrs Plant, pictured, said she would have to keep the salon open, because staff had not been able to notify all their customers who had booked appointments.

She said: "It is one of our busiest days of the week and we have got a full day's bookings.

"I will have to pay my staff and yet we have been told we will not be entitled to any compensation. I expect to lose hundreds of pounds.

"We all accept we want a lovely and safe High Street and we can cope one day without electricity and 14 weeks of disruption in the High Street.

"But when we are having such a lot of hassle, we would have hoped for more notice."

She added: "We are concerned about the signs that have been put up warning of the work. They give the impression Upper Tean is going to be closed.

"We need to tell everyone we are still open for business."

Postmistress Angela Marshall is concerned people will avoid Tean.

She said: "There are notices as far as Werrington and Uttoxeter telling people of the diversions, so people will not come in.

"I am not against the works, but I feel we are paying the price. If the shops do survive, we have to find a way of drawing people back into Tean."

Councillor Mike Maryon, member for highways at Staffordshire County Council which is overseeing the work, said: "The £500,000 being spent on the work will help the economy as motorists will find it easier to access the village.

"There is no doubt it will cause chaos for 14 weeks, but the benefits will be great."

Traders remain concerned about the relocation of a pedestrian crossing, which will involve the loss of parking spaces in the street.

They held talks with county council representatives on Tuesday and won an assurance the plans would be reviewed.