Business owners fear roadworks lasting nearly six months through a busy town centre could “finish them off”.
The next phase of a multi-million-pound regeneration scheme is set to begin at the end of this month in Dartford.
Motorists travelling through the intersection of Highfield Road, West Hill, Spital Street and the A226 are being warned of long delays lasting six months.
Works are set to begin on August 28 and Dartford council says they will be working with businesses and residents to try and ensure that normal traffic flows and access can be maintained as much as possible.
But cafe boss Jason Astell, of Allison’s Pantry, fears the lengthy closures and diversions will have a devastating impact on his shop.
He said: “It has the potential of finishing me off, really.”
His location near the traffic lights in Spital Street means customer parking and deliveries will all be affected.
Signs informing drivers of the roadworks were put up last week, but Jason says he had little notice beforehand.
He said: “I had a chap from Dartford council come in a couple of weeks ago and say ‘Have you had a letter?’ and I said ‘No’ and as far as I know, no one has had any information.
“His excuse was that we might get trade from workers.
“It’s the impact the traffic is going to have because this is only phase two, there’s phase three and phase four which is on the next junction round.”
The works form part of Dartford council's £12m regeneration scheme to make the town centre more accessible for pedestrians and public transport.
It consists of four stages - the first saw the creation of Brewery Square in Market Street and phase 1a is under way to give the High Street a “major facelift”
The council says the upcoming phase 2 works at the intersection will make minor changes to the layout of the junction.
Pedestrian crossings will be simplified and new traffic light technology will be installed to reduce vehicle waiting times.
There will also be a new bus stop and repaving to “match the look and feel of the town centre”.
But with a lengthy time frame to carry out these changes grocery store owner Rajendra Joshi shared similar concerns.
He said: “I don’t know fully what they’re planning here. One customer came in the other day and said they are closing this area.”
The Ghurka Food and Wine boss said he is reliant on people passing by for trade and diversions could make things difficult for his business.
Meanwhile, Judith Cheeseman, who has been running picture-framing shop Craft Frames in West Hill, said she is not sure what impact the works will have on her 40-year-old shop.
She said: “We’ve suffered quite a lot of road works at different times - they all affect you differently.
“We have an outline of what they are going to do, but we’re not sure exactly what yet.
“But, we feel it's about time we’re told a little bit more about the exact implications of it.”
Details of the exact closures and diversions of the intersection have not been made clear but Henderson & Taylor Public Works Ltd have been contracted to carry out the works.
They will be completed in several stages and are scheduled to finish by spring 2025.
When approached by KentOnline about the concerns raised, Dartford council said it was aware of the disruption that the West Hill construction will pose and it’s been “working hard to keep businesses informed”.
A spokesman said: “In June, letters were hand-delivered with signs being erected 12 weeks before works are due to start, we will continue giving updates as the works progress.
“We appreciate there will be some disturbance and are grateful for your patience and understanding.”
Phase three of the regeneration scheme will follow with improvements made at Hythe Street and Spital Street junction.
The final stage will make changes to the Westgate Road and Hythe Road intersection by the train station.
Timings for these works have not yet been finalised.
