BUSINESSES claim they are losing money because of roadworks on the trans-Pennine A66.

Shaun Fothergill said the Vintage Hotel, near Scotch Corner, was losing £1,000 a week because motorists could not turn right to the hotel from the eastbound carriageway.

He had sought assurances that the work creating dual carriageway would be completed on schedule next month.

The Highways Agency confirmed that work on that section should be finished by the end of next month, and the whole scheme was due for completion by mid-November.

Mr Fothergill, who backs the dualling of the notorious road, said: "It is a bit of a chew on at the moment. For six weeks, they have moved all the traffic from the original road on to the new carriageway. We are not quite cut off, but it is very difficult for people to reach us."

Eastbound drivers have to continue to Scotch Corner, go round the roundabout and along the A66 westbound to reach the Vintage Hotel, a detour of about a mile.

Mr Fothergill estimated that the hotel was losing 30 per cent of its trade because of the diversion. He said: "That is about £1,000 a week and it will be more next month, which is our busiest time of the year.

"Regulars and local people have continued to come, but we are missing the passing trade, who now have to go past Burger King, the Little Chef and the Scotch Corner Hotel to reach us."

Once work is complete, a filter lane will allow a right turn to the hotel.

Mr Fothergill said engineers should have completed the central filter lane before closing the carriageway, allowing access to the hotel car park.

A Highways Agency spokesman said some disruption to roadside businesses and nearby villages was inevitable.

Elsewhere, Ann Collinson, landlady of the White Swan Inn, at Gilling West, near Richmond, claimed takings had plummeted because of dualling work.

She said motorists were not visiting her pub because the closest junction from the trunk road to the village had been temporarily closed and no signs had been erected notifying drivers of the alternative route.

In a letter to the Highways Agency, the landlady said: "We rely heavily on passing trade from the A66.

"Obviously, the work needs to be done and one accepts that there will be an amount of disruption. What is causing consternation and annoyance, however, is the lack of alternative signs for Gilling West and its businesses, compared to other locations.

"Sedbury, Hartforth, Winston, Neasham, Dalton, Stoney Stoop and Greta Bridge all have at least one additional yellow and black directional sign displayed."

After listening to her complaint, the Highways Agency has agreed to erect new signs.

The agency said the £12m scheme to dual the A66 between Scotch Corner and Carkin Moor, in North Yorkshire, and between Greta Bridge and Stephen Bank, in County Durham, was on schedule.