Takings at a Dumfries shop have halved since roadworks outside the premises got under way in January.
And the project, which is aimed at mitigating the impact of increased traffic going to DGRI, won’t be completed until the summer.
Grocer Ewan Fraser, who employs 11 staff at his Toll Bar convenience store on New Abbey Road, told the Standard that it is the “nightmare scenario” he has feared since 2017.
As well as the roadworks, he now faces the impact of the suspension of parking around the shop from 8am on Monday until June 18.
Mr Fraser, who has owned the Toll Bar for almost 40 years, said: “There is no pleasure in being right – that what I feared is now happening.
“This loss of access could have a huge impact on us and we really fear for the future of the shop.”
He added: “A lot of our local customers come by car as many are elderly or disabled and we also rely on the passing trade which is now not going to stop if it can’t park up.
“We are the last shop standing in a community which has already lost five other small businesses.
“We do have a loyal customer base and we are just now asking people to come and support us while these roadworks are outside.
“If you can get to us, then please make an effort and pop in as we’re still open normal hours – and we need all the support we can get.”
The roads scheme, which involves the council, NHS and Transport Scotland, is designed to bring improvements to the junctions at New Abbey Road, Pleasance Avenue and Park Road.
Its aim is to help traffic flow, create safety crossings for pedestrians and establish a cycle route from Cargenbridge to Troqueer.
The scheme started in January and, according to Mr Fraser, footfall in the shop has dropped from 400 customers a day to 200 or less and takings are down by 50 per cent.
He said: “I warned the council that this would happen.
“It is seriously affecting my business and stopping the community and passers-by from accessing their neighbourhood shop because they can’t reach me for the roadworks and now the no parking order.
“With three toucan crossings and their zigzag lines to come, prohibiting parking, it is not going to get any better after the roadworks are done.
“No one is going to be able to park anywhere near the Toll Bar and where are my deliveries going to park up?”
He added that the fencing has also shut off the community from the public noticeboard and defibrillator at the premises – and thwarted his year-round fundraising raffles which have helped many local charities.
Mr Fraser said: “I have just been ignored. I’ve been trying to get heard since 2017 when public consultations began but the council had already made its mind up. It had money from the NHS when the hospital moved and it was determined to use it whether anyone liked it or not.
“As far as I can tell, all the works are going to do is increase the width of the pavement and make the road narrower. It is a waste of money.”
A council spokesman said: “The council will endeavour to minimise disruption by working with the contractor to phase the works in such a way so as to accommodate the movement of through traffic, local residents, shop customers and pedestrians/cyclists.”
