A SANDFORD businessman says that the recent road closure on Rose and Crown Hill, caused to allow emergency repairs to be made to a wall, had "totally destroyed" his lunchtime business.

Mark Hilyard, landlord of the Lamb Inn, said that the closure resulted in his lunchtime meals trade dropping from about 25 a day to just two, four or none at all some days!

"I suddenly went from making money to making a loss and to be honest it has been hell!

"Fortunately the road re-opens on Friday (today) and I just can't wait.

"I just hope all our customers will come back to us."

During the time of the closure, traffic followed a diversion route around Creedy Lakes and the roads in the area were very busy.

There were said to be two minor road accidents and a number of vehicles had become stuck.