“Appalling” traffic problems caused by weekend roadworks have effectively closed Epping High Street in the run-up to Christmas, according to retailers.

Traders said congestion in the town has affected business for months, but has worsened on the last two Saturdays, causing drastic reductions in sales.

Roadworks at the High Street junction with Theydon Road, by Bell Common, have been blamed.

Kyri Pourikou has owned Vanilla, a children’s clothes shop in High Street, for more than 30 years.

He said the roadworks have been causing “havoc”.

“Why start doing road works before Christmas?” He added.

“I have never seen anything like this. You try to talk to the council but they do not really care.

“What do I do? Someone has to speak up.”

Mr Pourikou said the traffic problems had effectively “closed” the town, with people were spending their money elsewhere.

He said: “Somebody else is benefiting.

“You are talking a reduction in takings, but we are not just talking about a couple of hundred pounds.”

Essex County Council has been contacted for comments.

For more on this story, see this weeks Guardian - out Thursday