TRADERS fear business will never recover as a village high street is set to shut for three weeks.

The A522 through Tean will close from Monday until March 31 as Staffordshire County Council carries out a £500,000 development. Roadworks will continue for a further 10 weeks.

Shopkeepers fear the project, intended to improve pedestrian safety, could instead spell the end for small retailers.

A two-hour protest was staged last week by campaigners in a last-ditch bid to have their voices heard.

Lynn Plant, who owns hairdressing salon Shades, said: "At no point has there been an opportunity for traders to voice their opinions, and the main reason for the protest was for a chance to get our views across.

"We have got 11 shops and the village is thriving.

"Traders are reliant on passing trade – and if customers cannot park they will not stop.

"If the designs go ahead as planned they will destroy the high street, and if trade is destroyed there will be no way of bringing it back."

Mrs Plant insisted businesses want to encourage safe and legal parking, but feel the disruption caused by moving the pedestrian crossing will adversely affect the village.

She added: "We are glad the need for safer parking has been recognised, but we think that moving the crossing will hinder trade.

"While work is ongoing there will be enough room for just one transit van." A total of 50ft (16 metres) of parking space, used by shoppers and up to 35 delivery vehicles a day, will be removed under plans for a puffin crossing.

Mrs Plant said: "I feel that this will encourage illegal parking rather than reduce it. And with the design of the new crossing, I feel people in mobility scooters will not be able to negotiate corners as the pavement is being reduced so much. Surely that is more unsafe than how it is now."

The puffin crossing is set to be installed directly outside the village post office.

Postmistress Angela Marshall said: "While the work is being carried out people will avoid Tean like the plague. 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."

The council has also pledged to investigate creating more spaces in addition to the existing car park.

County councillor Mike Maryon, member for highways, said: "Tean has not seen much investment over the past decade and it tends to get neglected.

"The £500,000 being spent on the work will help the economy as motorists will find it easier to access the village.

"Potholes are to be filled in and roads and drains are to be replaced.

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

A meeting was held on Tuesday to allow people to air their views. But the proposed work is to go ahead.