Works outside Windsor Castle have been slammed as an "eyesore" by a visitor to the town.

Upon visiting the town, ex-Windsor resident Paul King, 62, from Wokingham described the work as an "absolute mess".

"I've never seen Windsor Castle look like this from the outside - it was abysmal," he said.

Photographs taken by Paul show fencing, signs and cones closing areas of the road and footpath outside the castle.

A digger was present on the scene where the road was being dug up behind the Queen Victoria statue.

A diversion sign shows visitors the route around the works to the castle. 

"It could put tourists off going there and all the shops looked empty - it's such a shame," Paul added

On his visit on Sunday, October 8, Paul described members of the public just "walking past" with little interest in the castle itself.

While work to pedestrianise Castle Hill, located outside Windsor Castle, continues, scaffolding has also been erected around a section of the castle.

Paul added that the combination of work would definitely put him off going in.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead began a series of works to pedestrianise Castle Hill outside the Castle in March.

Carried out over four phases, the completed work will see a protective gate behind the Queen Victoria statue to aid pedestrian safety, with bollards installed at the end of St Alban’s Street with its junction with Castle Hill, with two-way vehicle access from the junction with Park Street.

The protective gate would be opened outside of castle visitor hours, meaning businesses on Castle Hill would still be able to receive deliveries. 

The first phase sought to retain, clean and repair if necessary the existing Yorkstone pavement and replace the road surface with a granite block finish.

The second phase will introduce a wider pavement with new Yorkstone paving as well as new high velocity vehicle mitigation measures and a gate. 

Phase three, at the junction of Castle Hill and St Alban’s Street, believed to have started in September, consists of further granite laying, the introduction of bollards and a raised crossing point to the castle visitor entrance

The final phase will commence on completion of phase three and will see the completion of pedestrian walkways either side of the carriageway down St Alban’s Street. 

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council spokesperson said: “We appreciate that with any significant works like this there will be a period where there will be a visual impact on the area with contractors and their equipment on site. However, this is temporary and this investment will significantly improve the experience for residents and businesses in this area.

“This project is being carried out in a series phases in order to minimise disruption as much as possible, and our contractors are working hard to reduce the impact on residents and visitors.

"We thank people for their ongoing patience and understanding while work continues in the area.

“This is a significant investment designed to help drive economic growth and spend, as well as provide additional safety benefits to both residents and visitors. 

"The project is expected to be completed early next year.”