THE manager of a petrol station has said there’s been a “huge drop” in customers due to a road closure which will be in place for three months. 

Danni Tooth, who runs Chaddesley Fuel Station and Shop, says the closed A448 near Kidderminster is having a “massive impact” on the business.

She said customer numbers have nearly halved since Severn Trent's work to replace a water main started on Monday (February 19).

Speaking on Tuesday, Danni said: “There’s nothing we can do about it. It’s just unfortunate. We understand the work has to be carried out. 

“It’s going to have a massive impact on the business. We rely on our passing trade to operate.

“We usually have eleven hundred (customers) a day. Yesterday we had 602”.

“We need to let people know we are open as normal. We are hoping they get it finished by the middle of May”.

The work on the A448 started in May 2023 but had to be abandoned due to a road worker being seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle. 

The closure is in place 24/7 and there is no through route to Kidderminster from Bromsgrove between Harvington Hall Lane and Dobes Lane. 

Nearby Rowberry’s Nursery Farm Shop and Restaurant is also reminding people that they are still open for business whilst the work is carried out. 

In a post on Facebook, the business said: “The closure along the A448 between Harvington Hall and Dobes Lane is now in place.

“We are still accessible via the direction of Bromsgrove or an easy diversion by turning left at Mustow Green and then right on to Woodrow Lane.

“Our farm shop is still full with fresh produce and our deli with plenty of sweet treats along with all the grocery essentials you could want”.