Gargrave is open for business - that is the message from traders who fear visitors are staying away because of the impending roadworks.

Even though work is not due to start until after Easter, people have not been visiting the village in their usual numbers.

Angela Stead, of Dapper ladieswear, said since the Highway Consultancy announced it was planning to close the A65 in Gargrave for up to a month between Easter and Spring Bank, confused customers had been ringing her.

"I have had a number of phone calls from my customers asking if the roadworks had started and if there was access to the village. Others have just stayed away and I am already down in takings by about a quarter," she said.

Linda Hartell-Payne, of the Dalesman Caf, is spearheading a campaign to inform the public that Gargrave is open as usual.

"We want to let customers and potential customers know that not only are we open now, but will remain open and accessible during the roadworks," she said.

Mrs Hartell-Payne added: "It looks likely that the work will go ahead this Easter and we have been given an unofficial date of April 22.

"However, Highways has said that when the workmen do arrive they will hit the ground running to get the work done in the shortest time with the minimum of fuss."

She and other members of the Gargrave Business Initiative, are holding an "Eggciting Easter Eggtravaganza" which will hopefully bring families into the village during the Easter weekend before the work starts.

"We also have the idea of perhaps having street markets while the roads are closed. These could be have a charity theme and could include sports events and other things which could not be done normally when the road is open," added Mrs Hartell-Payne.

A list of questions, compiled by the GBI, has been forwarded to the Highway Consultancy.

"They have said that they cannot answer questions if they don't know them so we are inviting them to a public meeting to give people a chance to find out what will happen."

She said it was businesses like Twin Locks Nursery which would have major problems because of the number of large vehicles which delivered to it.

Highways officials have said that in many instances it will "ferry" goods from the outskirts of the village to the shops, but that too could pose problems.

"There are instances when the chemist has deliveries of prescription drugs. You can't have those ferried about without security. And there is the butcher's shop which has deliveries of chilled foods. All these problems need to be sorted out and we hope a meeting between all the interested parties can be arranged soon," said Mrs Hartell-Payne.

One small consolation has come from Yorkshire Water which announced it was to carry out work on the village water mains.

Commuincations advisor Clare Deacon said the water company had been in touch with the Highways Consultancy and would work alongside the agency to keep disruption to a minimum.