A MAJOR city artery will be shut for up to four months – causing misery for drivers and businesses.

Tolladine Road in Worcester is closed for what National Grid has called “essential” gas pipe replacement works.

The gas company did not get off to an auspicious start after effectively closing the access road to the premises off Sheriff Street on the Worcester Trade Park (formerly Countrywide Trade estate).

The closure was moved after a call from your Worcester News highlighting the problem.

Business owners on the estate have only just recovered after the end of roadworks relating to the muchmaligned Newtown bus lane.

Before that, businesses had to cope with Sheriff Street being dug up for three months.

Georgia Upton, managing director of Energy Health Club in Sheriff Street, feels that the latest roadworks are another kick in the teeth for small city employers trying to dig themselves out of the worst economic downturn in a generation.

She said: “I am fuming.

Businesses were clinging on last year, thinking it would get better – and now this.

“We had almost continual roadworks from May until February this year and now here we are again.”

Chris Fredericks, managing director of Discount Carpet Warehouse, said none of the firms had been given notice of the closure before works began yesterday.

Both businesses said they had lost turnover and customers because of the frequent roadworks. Tolladine Road has now been shut in both directions from its junction with Sheriff Street to the other side of the railway viaduct, at the entrance to the old gas depot. Diversions have been signposted.

National Grid says the work will give nearby homes a safe and reliable gas supply, replacing an old metal pipe with a durable plastic one.

Mick Brettle, project manager, said: “I ask people to bear with us. This work will be short-term inconvenience for a long-term benefit.”

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said signs warning of the closure had been up for days, and a gas firm representative had met with traders.

He said: “As this is the start of work, roads are being monitored to ensure the diversion is working effectively.”