DROITWICH Spa’s High Street traders fears shoppers will be put off by six weeks of disruptions due to gas repair works.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, the National Grid is to start work in the town on Monday, February 21, to replace the old gas main running along High Street.

It is estimated that the work will take about six weeks to complete.

During this time, High Street will be closed to though traffic between the junctions of Queen Street and Friar Street. Shops and businesses in High Street will remain open throughout the work.

To ensure the job is completed on time, engineers are preparing to work six days a week from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

Jan Bolton, of Executive Cleaners in High Street, said: “All of the traders are very concerned about what this work will mean for their business. We have all met with representatives from National Grid about the issue. All we can do now is hope that the workers manage to complete the job as quickly as possible.

“A lot of shoppers will be put of from walking down the High Street because of all the disruption and I‘m very concerned that this could kill trade.”

National Grid project manager Paul Thompson said: “We have spoken to the traders along High Street and will continue to work with them throughout the job to try to ensure they have access to their businesses at all times and any inconvenience is kept to a minimum.

“We appreciate that roadworks are not popular but I ask the public to please bear with us. This is essential work that will ensure the town continues to enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply.”

The work is part of a major £2million project to replace more than 20 miles of old metal gas mains and replace them with new hard wearing plastic pipe. If undisturbed, the new pipe could last for up to 80 years and will need little or no maintenance.