RUSH-HOUR gridlock could be caused when traffic is banned from using a busy York thoroughfare for two months.

Shop owners in Bishopthorpe Road have attacked plans by Yorkshire Water to shut a section of the road between Nunnery Lane and Scarcroft Road for up to eight weeks to repair a sewer.

They are worried that the prospect of traffic chaos in the area will deter customers from using their shops - despite Yorkshire Water encouraging shoppers to support local businesses while the work is carried out.

Work will begin on Monday, and diversions will be in place using Scarcroft Road, Blossom Street and Nunnery Lane.

Workers will be on site between 7am and 7pm daily, from Monday to Friday, and from 8am until 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Pedestrian access, as well as access to the car park, side streets and shops, will be maintained at all times.

Yorkshire Water's David Parkin said the work is the start of a five-year programme of improvements being carried out across the city.

But Johnny Hayes, owner of Pexton's Hardware, in Bishopthorpe Road, said: "This couldn't have come at a worse time of year for us - spring on the doorstep and people wanting to do up their homes and get out in their gardens.

"The people that walk will not be put off, but there are an awful lot of people that normally come by car that will just give up."

Irene Roberts, whose husband, John, owns the Hotpot Caf, said: "They did something similar to this when we first moved here about 12 years ago and it lasted longer than eight weeks then.

"We don't really know what to expect in terms of lost trade because we were just starting out building up the business then, but it can't be good and the period they are talking about will take us over Easter, which is one of our busiest weekends of the year. It's worrying, very worrying."

The work will see sewers upgraded, reducing the likelihood of pipes collapsing, and the upgrading of sewage treatment works to ensure river water quality continues to improve.

Mr Parkin said: "We will need to close the road for up to eight weeks so that we can carry out repairs to the sewer by digging a shaft which will be 6m deep.

"We do understand that this will cause inconvenience to some people, but would like to reassure residents that the work in Bishopthorpe Road is vital, and we have worked closely with the highways department when planning the work.

"We really wouldn't close the road unless it was necessary.

"We have been working closely with the local business community to try to keep disruption to a minimum."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "Local residents have been informed and City of York Council will resurface the road during the final stages of the project, providing Yorkshire Water completes its work on schedule.

"If, due to unforeseen circumstances, this is not possible, the council will return to complete the work after the May meetings at York Racecourse.

"Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to residents and motorists."

Updated: 11:35 Friday, March 17, 2006