FLEDGLING trader has told the Evening Post she would never have opened her new shop if she had been informed about building and roadworks that have turned her street into "chaos".

Pauline Erskine, who opened Relish, a whole foods shop in Church Road in October, has been left fighting for survival after disruptive roadworks started just outside her door.

As well as trying to cope with the temporary traffic lights that have reduced the busy part of Church Road outside her shop to one-way traffic, she also has to put up with works on a large Victorian building a few doors away.

The building is being knocked down to make way for a number of flats and a new Co-op food store.

It has meant the street's footpath has been regularly cut off and customers directed into a narrow pathway at the edge of the road.

Ms Erskine told the Post that the roadworks had caused so much disruption outside her front door that the workmen were regularly shouted and sworn at by impatient motorists.

Ms Erskine, 57, who lives in Hanham, said: "It has been utter chaos for over a week now.

"I was not informed these roadworks were happening and at first resigned myself to them, thinking they would only last for one or two days.

"But the level of disruption they have caused has been crazy.

"People have been shouting and swearing at the workmen in the street.

"It's unfair because they are only doing their job and have been very apologetic, but I don't think it's been planned very well at all.

"The roadworks mean that traffic is only one-way up Church Road, which is extremely busy and the building works mean the footpath is regularly moved so that people cannot get near or see into my shop.

"When I opened the shop in October I was hoping that I could run a successful independent business but with all of these roadworks it's becoming impossible.

"The shop had previously stood empty for months, and I was hoping Relish would help bring some more life into the area.

"Lots of residents came in to wish me luck at the time, but now they are struggling to even see into the front window.

"It's hard enough to make money in this climate as it is – I just wish I had been consulted.

"I don't think I would have opened this shop if I had known about what was planned – it's becoming impossible to make a profit."

Bristol City Council spokesman James Easey said the roadworks were being carried out by Solent Civil Engineering, which was working on the sewers and water connections underneath the road.

He said the work was connected to the new development being built near the shop.

He confirmed that the company had permission to carry out the works, which were planned to continue until the end of next week.

He added: "I am told the workmen are currently working longer hours so that the work can be completed in a shorter amount of time."