CONTROVERSIAL £500,000 roadworks aimed at making a Hampshire road more pedestrian-friendly are set to begin today.

Traders on Church Street, Romsey, say they are “struggling” already and claim the 14-week work programme will cause further problems.

And some are worried that shoppers will abandon the area during the work, which includes the installation of a shared surface for vehicles and pedestrians.

When finished, council bosses hope the revamp will bring more pedestrians onto the street and help prevent it being used as a short cut between Market Place and Greatbridge on the northern edge of the town.

Linzi Stean, a spokeswoman for Colas contractors, said: “We are committed to working with local residents and businesses to mitigate any inconvenience or disruption.

“Pedestrian access and access for deliveries and emergency services will be maintained at all times.

"It will all be worth it when the work is finished.”

Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council chiefs initiated the work, which is being treated as the first part of a multi-million pound scheme.

Other projects include installing a shared surface for pedestrians and motorists and putting in pinch points at the junction with Market Place, as well as outside the borough council’s offices outside north of the junction with Church Place.

Hampshire County Council's leader Roy Perry believes the scheme will be beneficial the area.

“The scheme will create a shared space environment by raising the existing carriageway level to the level of the existing footpaths, while also adding raised table crossing points at either end of the scheme area.

“This should help more vulnerable road users find a more identifiable crossing point in Church Street.”