THE refurbishment of a patchy pavement has drawn criticism from local businesses worried the construction works will scare off customers.

Repairs to Fortis Green Road, Tottenham, will go ahead next week (JUNE 1 WEEK) after an extended campaign for the main thoroughfare to be fixed.

But local businesses were only informed last week and are still in the dark over when the construction will occur in front of their own shops in Haringey.

Tomfoolery owner Laura Kay said the council had been unable to tell her when construction would take place front of her jewellery store.

She said: “This is a really busy time of the year for us. We sell a lot of alternative engagement rings and couples come in to have a nice peaceful experience and instead there will be road works.

“It’s going to interrupt business and stop people coming down the side of this road.”

She said she would be prepared to make a claim through the council if her business was affected.

Children’s Bookshop manager Sanchita Basu De Sarkar said the news of the refurbishment had been sprung jumped on the Fortis Green Road businesses.

She said: “Whenever this kind of work and construction goes on, it makes it harder for people to park and it’s a hassle to get to places.There will be a lot of noise pollution, I’m not looking forward to that.”

The pavement will be repaved between June 1 and August 9 2016. Muswell Hill Bookshop owner Tim Robinson said: “I’m not looking forward to it being done but I am looking forward to it being finished.

“The pavement is in a bit of a state so we’ll grin and bear bare it.”

Resident Margaret Cheepen said she has lived in the area for more than 30 years and she is happy with the plans.

Mrs Cheepen said: “Being elderly who wobbles with a stick and has to push their trolley to get their shopping can mean it’s difficult to get around. I’m absolutely delighted.”

Fortis Green Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Newton said the road has been a “poor state” for some time.

But Cllr Peray Ahmet, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “The pavement in Fortis Green Road is in need of repair and we ask shoppers and businesses to bear with us. We are committed to supporting Haringey businesses to thrive and will ensure all disruption is kept to a minimum."