The closure of a main road into an Isle of Wight village will still go ahead, Island Roads has said, despite businesses warning it could be 'disastrous' for trade over the Easter holidays.
However, the contractor has said it will fully open Kings Road over the Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday, March 29 to Monday, April 1.
The road - one of the main routes into Bembridge - is due to shut between March 18 and April 9.
Businesses said it could be 'another nail in the coffin' and a sign taped to a telegraph pole called for an urgent rethink.
Read more: Isle of Wight high street shops fear road closure will cut off village
Island Roads said "whatever time we choose there will, inevitably and unfortunately, be an element of disruption", but it insisted repairs are required to bring the road up to the required standard.
A spokesperson for the company said: "In this particular case, we have had to work around other planned activity by utility companies on the diversion route.
"This has left us a narrow window in which to complete the works to avoid the summer season.
"Full road closures are required as this work will likely include the strengthening of the road’s foundations and this means deep excavations are likely.
"While this type of work should reduce the need for future maintenance, it is not safe to open the road in between shifts."
As well as reopening the road over the Bank Holiday weekend, Island Roads said it will seek to complete the work ahead of schedule, if possible.
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