'HS2 road closures mean staff can't get to work'

A coffee shop owner has said he has been forced to reduce his employees' hours, due to ongoing disruption caused by the closure of a major A road.

The A46 in Kenilworth has been shut for more than two weeks to allow the installation of a 14,500-tonne box structure as part of HS2 works.

Ashley Davis, who runs the Morning Sunshine cafe in Kenilworth, said despite "forward planning" and staff leaving 90 minutes before their shift started, they had still been arriving late.

HS2 previously said it recognised the closure would have a major impact on drivers, but suggested that two years of disruption had been avoided.

Mr Davis said alongside disruption for his commuting staff, business had also taken a hit.

"It's so much quieter... we've had to reduce everything," he said.

"We're running now at about 60% of what we normally do and the kids clubs we've run through the Easter holidays were less populated as well.

"People have called to cancel bookings.

"I think they're avoiding travelling this way.".

The road closure started on 11 April, just as the schools broke up for the Easter holidays.

A signed diversion is expected to be in place until 06:00 BST on Thursday.

The coffee shop owner said he expected the third week of the diversions to be the worst yet.

"With all the school traffic, it's going to be absolute gridlock," he said.

"People are hitting 40-minute delays and standstill traffic, which seems to be just outside of Kenilworth."

He expected other coffee shops would also be affected by the disruption, but remained optimistic that if his staff travelled in even earlier, it could be beneficial.

"We are hoping we will be able to get in super early and maybe even be the only shop that's open," Mr Davis said.

Once the works are completed, there will be lane closures on the north and southbound carriageways, with a speed limit of 50mph until Thursday 31 July.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.