THE latest phase of a York gas main upgrade is causing traffic congestion and hitting trade in one of the city's busiest high streets.

Bishopthorpe Road has been closed for three weeks by the ongoing Northern Gas Networks project to replace ageing metal gas mains with more durable plastic pipes, which shut Nunnery Lane earlier this year.

Motorists who would normally use Bishopthorpe Road have been diverted via Scarcroft Road and Tadcaster Road, where they have been struggling to break into the flow of traffic to make a right turn towards the city centre.

And businesses in the shopping street say the work has hit trade, particularly from customers who would normally drive to the area.

"It's not been dead but it's certainly quiet," said Johnny Hayes, chairman of the Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association, who runs Frankie & Johnny's Cookshop.

"We certainly want to get the message out that we're still open for business, and the car park is still open for drivers coming from the Bishopthorpe direction."

He said there was no sign saying businesses remained open and Northern Gas Network had been asked to provide one.

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Dan Ebdon, proprietor of Pexton's DIY shop, said: "There's an eerie feel to the street - you can almost see the tumbleweed."

He stressed that people buying heavy items such as timber could still park their car as near to his store as normal.

Bob Hope, construction services area manager for Northern Gas Networks, apologised for any inconvenience the essential work might cause and thanked the public for their 'continued patience and support.'

He said: "We understand the impact that our essential work can have on local businesses and do all we can to keep any disruption to a minimum."

He said engineers placed site signage at the approach to the closure on Bishopthorpe Road yesterday afternoon, advising members of the public that businesses in the area are open as usual.

“This is usually our standard practice when working in close proximity to shops and businesses, and we would like to apologise to our customers that this wasn’t done sooner," he said.

“We also have a customer cabin located at the car park on Nunnery Lane so that members of the public can drop in and ask questions or raise any concerns. The cabin is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 11am and 1pm.”

A spokesman said Bishopthorpe Road would remain closed until March 23, after which work would progress to Scarcroft Road, where it was scheduled for completion during the first week of April.