FIRMS in Kelvin Road, Seacombe, continue to be badly hit by the closure of the bridge.

Phil Richardson, of Richprint Printers, moved there to expand. Due to 80 per cent of his clients being passing trade, he has lost a great deal of custom

Mr Richardson is angry with Wirral Council for the delay in re-opening and its lack of contact with traders. "They're shouting out for rates, they want their taxes, but we're not getting much help."

Ray Lasnier Motor Engineers is in Kelvin Road. Mr Lasnier has been in the motor trade there for two and a half years and can't believe how much trade he has lost over the past nine months. He believes the bridge will stay closed for another year.

Motorists are already avoiding the area due to the new traffic lights and roundabouts holding up their journeys. Mr Lasnier said: "The lifeblood of this business is passing trade - that lifeblood is being diverted."

Mr Lasnier's staff have been lucky so far that their jobs are still safe, unlike some employees at Kelvin Motors

Due to 'the massive loss of passing trade', John Gibson closed down the petrol station side of the business. "There is just no passing petrol trade," he said.

After building up Kelvin Motors over four years, Mr Gibson can't afford to pay his rates anymore. "I can remember when all the repairs on the bridge used to be done at weekend. Now I go past the bridge and I can't see anyone working on it," he said.

Wirral Council is understood to be in dispute with the firm responsible for repairing 'A' Bridge.

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