Kings Highway temporary closures 'an incredible blow' for local businesses

Royal Mail Hotel owner Jamie Raynolds is worried about the impact of the impending road closures on Braidwood. Picture: Supplied

Local business owners in the NSW town of Braidwood have condemned the state government's plans for temporary closures of parts of the Kings Highway from the end of August.

The removal of 400 high-risk trees burnt in the 2019-20 bushfires would see the highway temporarily closed from River Forest Road to Misty Mountain Road over a period of up to two and a half months.

The proposed closures would take place from Monday to Thursday between 8am and 4pm, serving "an incredible blow" to businesses reliant on tourism, Braidwood locals say.

Fiona Mutton, owner of a general and homewares store in the town, said the cumulation of bushfires, floods and COVID-19 lockdowns over the last 18 months had already taken its toll on earnings.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro. Picture: Karleen Minney

Revenue was 75 per cent down on this time last year across her two businesses, she said.

"It's just an incredible blow and it's really hard to stay positive and think that we're gonna get through it," Ms Mutton said.

"I actually don't have the reserves to think that we're going to make it out the other side."

Ms Mutton was also concerned for the 10 staff she employed across her two businesses and how the closures could impact them.

"It's really going to knock the town around," said Jamie Raynolds, owner of the Royal Mail Hotel in Braidwood.

Queanbeyan mayor Tim Overall said local businesses are "on the verge" of closing, and this could be the final straw.

"To have this closure over a 10-week period as we go into spring is potentially going to be devastating for some businesses that are really on the verge," he said.

"A lot of businesses here cater for city shoppers that want to shop in a quaint little town like Braidwood."

Deputy NSW Premier John Barilaro responded to requests from locals for a reconsidered timeline of works with a letter to NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole.

"I understand it was a decision made with little to no community consultation," he wrote.

"And while I appreciate that the works are necessary, it should not be at the cost of local businesses."

Mr Barilaro suggested a two-day window of work instead, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Cr Overall said the road should be open Mondays, because that was when people drove down from the coast.