TAXI drivers say they are losing business because of 'nightmare' gas works in the city centre.

The drivers claim people are choosing to walk instead of taking their taxis, after spotting the queues of traffic around the junction.

Passengers are also frustrated as they are paying higher fares when the cars get stuck at the junction, between The Tything, Castle Street and Foregate Street.

Choudhry Hussain, a taxi driver for B&H cars, said: "It's a nightmare. We need to do something about it.

"I have seen people get off the train, go to get in a taxi, then look at the queues and say 'no we can walk'.

"Every day I spend a couple of hours in that junction. I have had people who said it's ridiculous.

"Sometimes we stop at McDonald's on Foregate Street and they walk as it's quicker than in the taxi.

"I think the other drivers are experiencing the same thing. It's affecting business, between 3pm and 7pm it's lots more chock-a-block."

Mr Hussain says he tries to avoid the works but sometimes it is impossible.

John Andrews, from Back Lane South, in Worcester, uses taxis most days and says the works are causing 'excessive fares'.

"Usually it's £3.70 to £3.90 but now by the time you get out the other end it's over £4," he says.

"I went from Back Lane South to The Cross yesterday and also on Monday. It's costing me extra.

"I don't blame the taxi drivers. I have spoken to one or two of the drivers and they are absolutely fed up with it.

"It's affecting their fares as people are complaining. They go up Castle Street and get caught up in traffic.

"Why don't they do these jobs at night time?"

Mr Andrews, 78, says he needs to use taxis as an ulcer on his foot makes it hard to walk.

"The ulcer can be quite painful and I can only walk very slowly. I've had it since 2010 and been using taxis ever since," he said.

A crucial piece of equipment failed to arrive at the site on Monday and the temporary traffic lights' battery malfunctioned on Tuesday.

The junction should reopen on October 31 when the roadworks end, although work will then begin in St Mary's Street.

National Grid are replacing the old iron gas mains with plastic pipes, claiming the work is vital and will last for 80 years.

A National Grid spokesman said: "We expect to finish laying the new pipe by the end of this week.

"Once this is done, our reinstatement contractors will fill in the holes and reinstate the road surface over the weekend.

"Businesses affected by our work may be eligible for compensation. They can contact a member of the team working on the site for a loss of business compensation information pack.

"While night working is carried out occasionally in some circumstances, it can be noisy and disruptive for local residents, including those living in flats above businesses and in homes nearby.”

St Mary's Street will be closed from October 31 to enable work which should be complete by Sunday, November 6.