Angry seafront traders are to demand compensation for business lost because of summer roadworks.

Some say they have lost more than 30 per cent of their seasonal trade because traffic congestion has driven customers away from Brighton and Hove.

The city council has already agreed to consider carrying out major work outside the summer season following complaints about chaos caused by work to strengthen arches below King's Road.

The authority has also said roadworks will end before the bank holiday weekend.

However, Sea Life Centre manager Toby Forer yesterday led calls for the council to compensate traders for loss of business during one of the hottest summers on record.

He said roadworks on the seafront and the A23 into Brighton had deterred visitors as the tourist season got under way.

Mr Forer said: "It has definitely affected our business and we have suffered as a result of the roadworks."

He said he would apply for compensation for lost revenue and urged others to do the same.

Mr Forer said: "We listen to the quarter of a million visitors we have each year.

"A lot of them in the past two months have arrived feeling dejected and upset.

"Brighton already has a reputation for parking difficulties.

"But when visitors also experience traffic delays, they go home with bad memories which could stop them returning. This work should have been done in the winter. It has caused horrendous disruption and a great deal of suffering.

"We have spent 13 years trying to build up business at the Sea Life Centre. We feel we have been kicked in the teeth by the council."

His calls have been backed by other King's Road traders who say their livelihoods have been affected.

Jo Rivers, manager of Seaside News, said: "Our takings are down by at least 30 per cent on this time last year, when the weather was atrocious with lots of rain.

"The two main routes into Brighton have been strangled at the height of summer. It is ridiculous.

"This is the third time in three months the surface has been dug up. It's killing our business."

Theresa Walker, of Brighton Rock Shop, said: "The roadworks have affected our business. We are more than 30 per cent down.

"I would like to see the council speaking to traders about compensation for some of the money we have lost."

The manageress at nearby Tony's Plaice fish and chip shop said: "Some customers have tried to come here to eat but have given up and turned back.

"It is not just the tourists who are affected, either. Our fridge broke down and the repair man just gave up and turned around after spending more than an hour trying to get to us through the traffic.

"I am sure Mark Foster, the owner, will consider asking for compensation for the business we have lost."

A council spokeswoman said work to strengthen King's Road arches began in March and was due to end in time for the August bank holiday.

It had stopped for the Brighton Festival in May.

Further roadworks last week were necessary to repair water leaks into the arches under the road.

Monday August 18, 2003