Businesses will be devastated by roadworks which could last more than three months, it is feared.
National Grid has announced plans to close Park Lane East in Tipton while replacing an old metal gas main.
The work is estimated to take around 12 weeks to complete and shopkeepers along the road say they will lose thousands of pounds. “I’m really worried about it,” said Sadarat Khan, who owns Pakeeza Food Store, which has been on Park Lane East for 20 years.
“I hadn’t heard much about it so I called National Grid and they mentioned some sort of compensation package, but I don’t know much about it really.”
Part of the road is already closed and Mr Khan said in one morning alone he had noticed a 75 per cent dip in takings.
“It’s annoying that the road is already closed but I can’t see anyone doing any work anywhere,” he said. “We might be able to get through in the short term but this will have a long term effect.
“It could kill us, definitely. This is a small area and when people can’t get to our shop they’ll have to go elsewhere and then it’s difficult to get them back here when the work’s finished. We’ll see.”
Abid Rasool, from Razwan News, added: “They only shut the road yesterday and already it’s had a massive effect. I think I’m about £500 down.
“This is a really busy road because when Dudley Port is busy all the cars come down here. We get a lot of passing trade and this will kill it.”
The project is part of National Grid’s 30 year programme to improve the safety and reliability of the gas supply network.
National Grid project manager Dave Garbett said it would cause “short term inconvenience for a long term benefit”.
A compensation package has not been formally set up but National Grid spokeswoman Jane Taylor said claims would be assessed on an individual basis.
By Lucy Townsend
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