"While we fully understand the frustrations felt by the local community and businesses, we cannot ask hard-working contractors to face daily abuse and physical attack."
Contractors working on securing Midhurst's fire-stricken Angel Inn have been "forced to move to accommodation outside of Midhurst" following "shouting and abuse" from "a small section of the public", the South Downs National Park has said.
The workers, who have been helping to reopen North Street by securing the building's facade with scaffolding, have faced a "daily barrage" of insults, which has meant they are no longer able to stay in the town while the work is carried out.
Reports of abuse include a security guard being hospitalised after he was "attacked by two members of the public" who were attempting to "enter the compound" with "cutters".
As well as the move "increasing [contractors'] travel time and meaning less revenue to local businesses", the National Park says "we cannot ask hard-working contractors to face daily abuse and physical attack."
"We are therefore making a plea to everyone to let the contractors get on peacefully with the much-needed work.
"We will continue to provide weekly updates on progress. Once the work is completed, we will hand over to West Sussex County Council, as the Highways Authority, to reopen the road."
They add that police are investigating the attack on the security guard and there is now additional security in the area, "including regular dog patrols."
Work on securing the Angel Inn is "on track" to be completed in a 7 week period, which began on the 15th of May.
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