ANOTHER business owner has reacted furiously to the pace of gas works taking place in March High Street.

Dr Nick Valley, the owner of Amical Vetinary Centre, joins a growing list of angry traders, including hotelier Rob Skoulding and fish-and-chip shop owner Tommy Cheung, that have hit-out at the road closure.

He has now copied Mr Skoulding and placed his own road sign to show customers the vets is still open for business during the five-week road closure.

He said: “Having the notice there will show clients we are open and show we’re not happy about this.

“National Grid really need to speed this work up. They are not doing the job every day. With extra manpower here it would get finished much quicker.”

Dr Valley also believes Fenland District Council could do more to help the businesses that have been affected by the works. However, the council has little control over the matter.

Dr Valley said: “I blame the council for a lot of this as they’ve done nothing to help the businesses that are being hurt. They haven’t sent anyone to hear our concerns and I’m sure they can help push for the work to be completed quicker.”

A council spokesman said in response: “We sympathise with everyone who is affected by the road closure but there is nothing we can do about it.

“It is all down to the companies responsible for doing the work, in consultation with the county council’s Highways department.

“People who feel their businesses are being seriously affected can apply to the valuation officer at the Valuation Office Agency, part of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, for an adjustment in their business rates.

“Anyone who is struggling to pay their instalments can contact us to see if there’s anything we can do to renegotiate those instalments.”

National Grid are working in partnership with Morrison Utility Services to complete the work.

A spokesman for Morrison said: “Every effort will be made to complete the work as quickly as we can to minimise disruption.”