The owner of a Ruislip High Street shop has claimed resurfacing works outside his store has cut business by 50% over the last two weeks.

Ruislip High Street is being resurfaced after “localised subsidence” caused damage to the road surface and could take up to four months.

Athithapillai Balarajah, who owns AM 2 PM newsagents, is concerned the disruption could cost him his business.

The 65-year-old told getwestlondon : “[It affected my business] from day one, straight away.

"Nobody can stop their car.

“It's had a big impact on my our business. It's a small business. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to pay the bills.”

The resurfacing work is expected to last 16 weeks

Mr Balarajah, who lives in Harrow, said his sales have been cut by 50% in the two weeks since the work started in March.

The work was scheduled to have been carried out in the lead up to Christmas last year, but the council rescheduled this because of the impact on businesses at the busy time of year.

According to the Ruislip Chamber of Commerce, the work between Ickenham Road and Eastcote Road is because of subsidence and the sub base of the carriageway needs to be replaced for resurfacing work to be carried out.

Work started on March 13 and is estimated to be completed by mid June.

Hillingdon Council says it consulted with the residents' association and the chamber of commerce

Mr Balarajah said: “This impact is destroying my business.

“I have to pay my mortgage. They knew it was going to happen but they kept quiet about it.”

He said Hillingdon Council sent a letter about the works one week before they started.

A statement from the authority said: “Hillingdon Council is reconstructing Ruislip High Street to fix the deteriorating road surface caused by local subsidence.

“These critical roadworks were originally scheduled in the run up to Christmas 2016 but because of the impact this would have on local businesses, were rescheduled to March 2017.

“The reconstruction of the High Street is crucial to make the road safe for residents and businesses.

“Prior to starting the works, the council liased with both Ruislip Residents' Association and Chamber of Commerce to manage the potential issues the effect of the works would have on their members. We also leafleted local residents with information."

A Ruislip business owner says the work is 'destroying his business'

The statement added: “We continue to actively monitor the works to ensure any problems are managed effectively and necessary adjustments are made to minimise disruption as flexibly as possible.

“Some local businesses have already commended us on the efforts as well as the assistance they have received so far.”

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