A pub landlord fears his business will be cut off from passing trade for up to SIX WEEKS while roadworks are carried out.

The works, which include resurfacing, repairing a dry stone wall and improving drainage, have shut the A635 Barnsley Road, close to The Dunkirk Inn.

The works, by Barnsley Council, started on Monday.

Landlord Paul Clark says the timing of the closure will have a huge detrimental impact on his business with the school holidays looming.

Paul said: “We had two people from Barnsley Council’s highways department come and talk to me which was a surprise.

“They explained the roadworks had to be carried out and Barnsley Road will be reduced to access only about a mile before the pub, if you are coming from the Huddersfield side. It will be completely shut off at the other end at roughly the Kirklees and Barnsley border.

“We understand that the works have to be done but we haven’t been told what they are actually doing to the road.

“Our issue is with the timing of the work as we will lose all passing trade travelling towards Barnsley during the busy six weeks holidays.

“We will have our regular customers who can still get to the pub via the access only but the timing is really going to hit us.”

Paul added: “The roadworks are also going to cause problems for people trying to get to Cannon Hall Farm and Maize Maze at Barnsley. Both are summer tourist destinations.”

A spokesman for Barnsley Council said: “Following heavy rainfall in January, a dry stone wall which retains the A635 has failed, leaving the westbound carriageway unsafe for use by vehicles.

“The retaining wall has failed on the boundary with Kirklees in a rural area, where the A635 is narrow. This means it is not possible to carry out works to rebuild the wall to modern standards while keeping the road open.

“Barnsley Council has consulted with Kirklees Highways Department and South Yorkshire Police.

A635 closure notice near The Dunkirk Inn, Barnsley Road, Denby Dale.

“Taking into account traffic volumes, school holidays and other constraints it has been decided to carry out the works from this week for six weeks.

Work is taking place seven days a week, 12 hours a days to minimise the length of time needed for these essential maintenance works.

“With regards to minimising possible disruption to local businesses, the public house, and other businesses, were visited six weeks ago. Highways officers alerted business people to these essential works and explained why the road closure was required.

“We would emphasise to both road users and businesses that these are essential works which will include improvements to drainage and surfacing.”

Barnsley Council said the diversion is as follows: A637, past Darton and M1 Junction 38 to the roundabout where the A637 meets the A636.

At this roundabout traffic will head South west along the A636, through Clayton West and Denby Dale, to the junction between A636 and A635.

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