Businesses have spoken out about their nightmare summer following an emergency road closure on the A6071 out of Brampton.

Naworth Fishery and New Mills Trout Fish Farm say they have both experienced a huge drop in business during what should be the busiest time of the year following the closure of the A6071 leading out of Brampton.

The road was closed in August to allow Balfour Beatty to undertake repair work to the bridge which was seriously damaged.

As the road is the main access route for the businesses it makes it difficult for people who are unfamiliar with the area to reach them easily.

James Goode, the owner of New Mills, said: “The bottom line is that it was done at the wrong period of time, with no consultation from the council who set it up.

“It has split the business in half. It has cost me thousands.”

The timing of the closure is largely why both James Goode, and Fergus Graham who owns Naworth Fishery, are disgruntled.

Mr Graham said: “It’s absolutely devastating, on the August Bank Holiday we only saw seven customers over the whole bank holiday.

“Usually we see 15 or 20 per day.

“It’s affected the worst possible time of year.”

Due to the access problems created by the road closure, Mr Goode has had to open up his overflow car-park as the main car-park for the business.

“I have had to use that as my main car park all summer and the result has been thousands of pounds worth of damage to that car park because it isn’t built to take the cars that it has had to take,” he said.

“So, I have got to rebuild that car park and road, it has cost me a lot of money.”

Both owners noted that the signposts surrounding the closure are unclear on how businesses are affected.

“The turn-off is signposted as closed everywhere,” said Mr Graham.

“The customers who are coming in are people who know the fishery anyway and know the access but we’re not seeing any new faces of people staying in the area.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “These works are being carried out under an emergency closure notice following a routine inspection of the bridge. “We understand that the disruption is frustrating, but these are essential works to maintain the bridge for the future.

“A signed diversion route is in place.

“The works are due to be completed on Friday, when the road will re-open.”