TRADERS in a Worcester city centre street are suffering as months of works to revamp the area enter their final phase – despite reassurances that the scheme is running on schedule.

Work started in Lowesmoor at the end of May and was scheduled to last five months, with the road turned into a one-way street at the end of April for an expected period of three months.

With the three-month deadline fast approaching, traders fear the work will go beyond the date they were initially told, despite Worcestershire County Council saying the work will be completed on time and urging traders to bear with them during the improvement works.

But traders say as well as noise and general disruption, they have also suffered power cuts and lost trade. At the weekend, power went off at One Stop convenience store, causing electrical equipment to fail and when manager Anne Allies turned them back on, they broke down.

“The power cut on Friday tripped out all the chillers and freezers and I lost about £500 worth of stock,” she said. “We have had several power cuts and one of them lasted for eight hours. We have also lost sales because it has difficult for people to gain access. All the shops in the area are really suffering. It’s noisy and the whole shop has been vibrating at times with the work.

“I know it’s got to be done and there’s no going back but it does seem to be running late.”

She said the workmen and contractors had done their best to keep all the traders informed and to help with deliveries. On the One Stop side of the street, there is no rear access for deliveries.

A spokesperson for the St Richard’s Hosice charity shop across the road said they were lucky to have a rear access for customers and deliveries but had still had problems. “Over the last few days, there have been power cuts and issues with the telephone lines,” she said.

“It’s made working here difficult but it hasn’t stopped people coming.”

Coun Simon Geraghty, Worcestershire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: “We’re pleased to reassure residents and businesses that the improvements in Lowesmoor are currently on schedule. All the pavements and kerbing work in Lowesmoor are due for completion by the end of August, at which stage our contractors will move on to Silver Street and City Walls Road to undertake further footway resurfacing and barrier work during September.

“As with any major scheme such as this, while delays are likely when works are taking place, residents and businesses will benefit from real improvements once the enhancements are completed. Lowesmoor is enjoying an exciting renaissance, particularly with the arrival of the adjacent St Martin’s Quarter which has brought new life into the area and we are very excited that these works will complement this.”

Residents and businesses can call the dedicated customer care line on 01905 761176.