TRADERS are hitting back after days of roadworks shut off their village.

On June 13, residents in Dunham Hill were faced with extensive traffic disruption as their village was closed at both ends for road resurfacing.

Residents struggled to leave the small village for work and take their children to school.

And the only business in the village, Dunham Hill Smithy, remained inaccessible for days.

Now blacksmiths Tom Jones and Roger Dutton are seeking compensation from Cheshire West and Chester Council after being unable to reach clients with their tailor-made gates.

Blacksmith Tom Jones said the company had only been notified on Friday evening of the closure giving them no time to rearrange dozens of deliveries and pre-booked orders.

Tom, who lives in Upton and travels to work in Dunham every day, said: “We got a notice on the Friday saying we are closing the village next week. We should have had a seven day notification, we have had no time to reach our clients and reschedule deliveries.

“It has been a massive mission getting in and out. At some points we couldn’t physically get in, we needed to deliver hand made gates to clients but clearly nothing could get in or out.

“We have probably lost thousands of pounds of income from this because we don’t get paid until the gates are installed.”

A spokesperson from Cheshire West & Chester Council said: “We apologise for the letter being sent out late. Access was made for residents at all times. We are sure that the new road surface will be welcomed by residents.”