TRADERS on Hornsea's main shopping street are considering a compensation claim saying "poor signage" has cost them thousands of pounds.

They say potential customers have been turning away thinking the road is fully closed because of an 'access only' sign at the end of Newbegin.

However shoppers can still reach the Co-operative car park whilst the remedial work to a collapsed private sewer outside the Med restaurant is ongoing.

Some traders told the Mail business had dropped by 50-per-cent, on the first day of the work on Wednesday.

John Edkins, of the Vernon Gallery, said: "Since the work started it's knocked trade out of the window.

"We rely on passing trade, which hasn't been coming because people have thought the road was fully closed."

East Riding Council granted a licence to private contractor Druants to do the work, which included putting signs up.

However Mr Edkins holds East Riding Council responsible. He said: "We pay our business rates to East Riding Council so I think it should be down to the council to make sure there are adequate signs to let people know that the businesses are still open.

"There are talks about a possible compensation claim for the loss of trade."

East Riding ward councillor Barbara Jefferson said she received a number of phone calls from angry traders on Newbegin on Wednesday.

Councillor Jefferson contacted the highways agency and a sign saying businesses were open was put up shortly after Wednesday lunchtime.

Barry Carter, from Carter's Butchers on Newbegin, said: "A sign was put up saying business as usual.

"However this is 50 yards down the road and people are seeing the access only sign and turning away and heading towards Beverley.

"It's unbelievable.

"On Wednesday I lost half my normal takings I would normally have made on the same day."

Susan Rogers, who works at Pets and Gardens, also on Newbegin, said: "The problem is they're diverting traffic from Beverley straight down Eastgate.

"The sign says diversion when people can still get in the Co-op car park.

"Outside Cusworth the sign says business as usual but this is halfway down Newbegin.

"The road is only closed from Natwest to the library.

"We've easily seen 50-per-cent reduction in takings but it's affected absolutely everybody along Newbegin."

According to East Riding Council the work is expected to be complete today.

A spokesperson said: "The council granted a licence to a private contractor for urgent work required on a collapsed sewer."

The Mail tried to contact Druants but no-one returned the call.