Melbourn traders have voice their anger about the relaying of a road surface outside their businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

Highways – which is carrying out the work on behalf on Cambridgeshire County Council – began to resurface the section of High Street between Water Lane and The Cross on Monday morning.

Mohan Singh Malhotra, who runs Melbourn Post Office, said: “I stand to lose between £300 to £500 per day at my busiest time of year because of the upheaval outside my door. I am right in the middle of it all.”

Clive Porter, who lives in Melbourn, said: “Normally The Dolphin pub is bustling with drinkers and diners on a Monday afternoon but there were only two customers in there.

“Several locals have complained about the rough road service, and the piles of old asphalt left near the pavements. Many of the older people are frightened of tripping over and are not even coming down into the village centre.

“I am coming back when all of the work is completed, and the traders know how much of their business they have lost, to talk to them about how to go about seeking compensation. I find the manner in which the authorities conduct themselves in matters such as this both undemocratic and unprofessional.”

Speaking on Monday, a spokesman at Co-operative Food said: “We have had unusually long, quiet spells all morning.”

Melbourn county councillor Susan van de Ven said: “The road is being resurfaced because it was in such terrible shape.

“Over the past few years I’ve received strong messages from people exasperated by the dangerous state of the road. I’m glad we’ve got Highways to do the work because it was long overdue – I only wish a number of other roads in the parishes I represent could also be done this year.

“I’ve been told that the job will take a total of one week, so I hope that disruption is kept to a minimum.”