BUSINESSES in Brompton Regis fear their livelihoods are under threat after highways chiefs announced a three-week closure of a well-used holiday route. Repairs to Bryants Bridge between Wimbleball Lake and the village will send motorists on a lengthy detour. A stretch of road is due to be closed from May 16 from the turning to the lake to about 400 yards the other side of Pulhams Mill. The closure will affect visitors travelling from the lake to Brompton Regis Post Office and shop and the George Inn pub. But Pulhams Mill - a craft shop, tea room and furniture makers slightly further on from the main village facilities - will be virtually cut off. Owner Ian Mawby, who runs the enterprise with his partner Pauline Clements, told the Free Press yesterday (Thursday): "This could put us out of business. "It could cost us thousands of pounds and is going to be absolutely disastrous. "This is a road that a lot of people take as a holiday route. It not only leads to the lake, but it is also a well-used route to Dulverton. "If this closure lasts three weeks as the highways authority says it will on the signs that have just gone up, then it will be in place over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May. "Even if they finish the work before then, the fact that the signs say it will be a three-week closure is bound to deter people from coming here and anything that does that at the beginning of the season, just as we are trying to build trade up, will be disastrous." Part of the bridge's parapet was apparently damaged by a vehicle in an incident last month. But Mr Mawby said he could not believe the repairs would take three weeks and questioned why traffic lights could not be installed to allow the road to remain open. Village postmistress and shopkeeper Jenny Stringer said the closure would mean she would face a nine- mile detour to complete deliveries in the Upton area. But she said she could see little alternative to blocking off the route. "The road and the bridge are very narrow - just one car width. "I'm just hoping that it will take less than three weeks and that it could be temporarily re-opened at weekends and over the bank holiday." A spokesman for Somerset Highways told the Free Press that they were keen to get the work done as quickly as possible and ahead of the main holiday season. "We are looking to work with local businesses to try and carry out works so they cause the least amount of disruption but the safety of road users and workers is of paramount importance, so we need to get the right balance." The spokesman said highways staff had been pleased to hear directly from Mr Mawby yesterday as it had given them an opportunity to hear and understand his concerns.