Furious Bexley business owners fear losing their livelihood, when work to replace the Old Mill bridge begins next year.

Bexley Council announced last month that works to introduce a new, stronger and slightly wider bridge to replace the existing "old and weak" one over the River Cray will begin on January 7.

High Street traders, many of whom run independent stores, told News Shopper they were terrified their shops would be "dead" during this period, if customers are put off making the trip.

Chex Boutique co-owner David Greenberg said: "The impact on business in the village is going to be horrendous.

News Shopper:

Mr Greenberg and Geraldine Brown, of Browns of Bexley

"We have had a man land on the moon so why can't they build a bridge in less than six months?

"I appreciate the works have to be done, but we do not know why it has to take so long."

The bridge will be closed in both directions for a five-week period from February, after which time the southbound route will re-open. Northbound traffic will continue to be diverted via the A2 for an unspecified time - until works are complete.

The Woodyard owner Stuart Williams said: "It's ludicrous. It's a joke."

Business owners claim they were not consulted in advance and received letters from the council on November 4 - a week after details of roadworks were published by News Shopper.

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Mr Greenberg said: "We have been talking about this for a year, which makes it a total farce that they have not consulted us.

"I think it should be put on hold until we have been consulted.

"I think they are taking traders in the village for mugs."

We Love Cakes owner Julie Hill added: "If they had told us, we would have been stamping our feet."

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Ms Hill (above left) says she is worried she may go out of business, if parents stop booking kids' cake decorating parties and workshops.

She added: "It will drive my business under."

Meanwhile, two willow trees at the Old Mill have been cut back to ensure "safe construction" of the pedestrian footbridge.

Mr Greenberg said: "It's heartbreaking."

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His mum Shirley Greenberg added: "Those trees have outlived two world wars, but they can't outlast Bexley Council."

Business owners urge residents and those further afield to continue to support the shops, pubs and cafes in the "unique" village.

Mr Greenberg said: "The High Street will not be closed, just because the bridge is."

A Bexley Council spokesman said: "The bridge needs to be replaced or it could fail.

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"The proposals for a new bridge at this site went to a Bexley planning committee on September 10, and as soon as possible thereafter proposed plans for carrying out the work were publicised.

"As much of the new bridge as possible is being built off site and these will be delivered to site piece by piece and then joined together.

"It was necessary to cut back the willow trees in order to enable the safe construction of the footbridge which will be used by pedestrians and diverted utilities when work begins in January 2016.

"This was done with the consent of the river keeper and private landowner who asked if we could cut back the trees as they had got overgrown."