FEARS that a major roadwork scheme on a busy Worcester road would hit traders have proved true.

Businesses in Wyld's Lane have seen a fall in trade since the entry to the road from London Road was closed.

The Worcester News reported last month that shopkeepers predicted the fall following the start of a £1m scheme to replace old water and gas pipes and build an underground sewer to deal with any floods.

Ramesh Patel, who runs Wyld's Lane News, said: "Business has really been affected because people can't drive down Wyld's Lane."

He added that he is grateful that his regular customers still come in but he said: "I can't get the passing trade at all.

"I've not been told how long the work is going to take. I have to find out these thing from the Worcester News."

Mohammed Manir, owner of Spice Bazaar, which is near to Mr Patel's shop, said: "We have noticed that since Wyld's Lane was closed at the London Road end, we have lost about a quarter of our customers.

"We don't know how the work is going to affect us in the next few weeks and months. Some people only know one route how to get here and because the road is closed they do not bother.

"Not many people know that by travelling down London Road and turning into Fort Royal Hill that it will lead to us.

"We would have appreciated signs saying that businesses are open and telling people to turn into Fort Royal Hill.

"The work must go on but they should have considered the shops."

Currently Severn Trent is working on the underground sewer at the entry of Wyld's Lane with more durable plastic pipes replacing the old and brittle cast iron ones. Then in August the company will replace pipes along London Road.

National Grid Gas is also replacing old pipes running between Compton Road and Perry Wood Walk.