The �1m project has closed some roads

Road engineers are resurfacing the A65 through Gargrave, which is used by more than 10,000 vehicles a day and is the main route from Yorkshire to the Lake District.

Some sections of the road have been closed during the �1m project, forcing cars travelling to the Lakes on a 20 mile detour.

Shopkeepers who rely on passing trade through the village say the result has been a 90% drop in trade.

Rebecca Roberts, who owns a shop in the village, told BBC Look North that May should be their busiest time.

At some locations the road is too narrow to safely allow the road to be kept open while the work is carried out Jon Robinson, Highways Agency

"We're 90% down on last year so it's pretty devastating really," she said.

"It's usually extremely busy but now it's gone to absolutely nothing."

Ms Roberts admitted that many residents were happy with the lack of traffic and relative peace and quiet.

"We are using that as a selling point to visitors - 'Come and see us while it's quiet'. But apart from that, it's just like a ghost town and we wouldn't want it to be like this for too long."

The A65 is normally one of the busiest routes in Yorkshire with a high percentage of holiday traffic in May.

The Highways Agency said the road needs to be replaced to meet the demands of its heavy load.

Jon Robinson, from the Highways Agency, said: "At some locations the road is too narrow to safely allow the road to be kept open while the work is carried out."

The work is due to be completed on 14 July and will be suspended during the bank holiday on 26 May.