BUSINESSES in Stoke St Gregory are worried they could be ‘cut off completely’ if the main road into the village is closed for water mains work.

Wessex Water is planning to start work at Griggs Hill at the end of February next year to upgrade the water pipes which it says are more than 100 years old.

The work is expected to take five weeks and the Berridge family, who run The Royal Oak pub, say it could have a damaging effect on them.

They said: “It is hard now and we are remote enough as it is without cutting us off completely.

People are not going to drive out of their way to get here and our trade would be about 80% down.”

Wessex Water is holding a meeting with parish councillors next week (October 25) to discuss arrangements for the work.

Parish council chairman Heather Venn said: “There are a lot of businesses in the village that are very delicate and if people can’t get to them they will change their habits.”

Ian Upshall, who runs the County Stores shop, said he is concerned about how long the proposed work is set to take.

He added: “We all understand the work has to take place for the regular supply of clean water but we are just concerned for our businesses.

“But we want to have everything out in the open and come to an agreeable solution with Wessex Water – the ideal situation would be a partial closure.”

Barbara Berks, head teacher at Stoke St Gregory Primary School, said its school trips and swimming classes in Taunton would be affected.

And staff at Granny Gothards ice cream parlour said they were concerned about what would happen with their deliveries.

Cllr Gill Slattery added: “If there is one ray of sunshine, at least it isn’t happening in November or December, which was originally planned because the shops’ and pub’s Christmas trade would be affected.”

Wessex Water said it is still discussing traffic management with Somerset Highways and added: “We want to cause as little disruption as possible and that letters and diversion signs will be sent out before any work takes place.”