BUSINESSES in St John Street in Bridgwater say trade has already taken a big dip since Wessex Water began four weeks of road works on Wednesday.

The firm is relining a water main as part of its £10million Operation Clean and Clear project.

It insists everything possible has been done to minimise disruption.

However, several businesses told the Mercury Wessex Water should have done more to keep them updated about the work.

Leonard Smith, co-director of Quantock Electrical Company, said: “It's a total disaster. The work has got to be done, but we just don't know what's going on. I would have expected a representative down here.”

Darrin Graham, branch manager at Kwik Fit, told the Mercury that he has seen trade fall by 65%. He said: “We've lost a lot of trade but have only had one letter.

“They have helped us gain access for deliveries, but the signs saying 'business as usual' are not in the right places, so we've had to make our own.”

And Phillip Youle from What's News, whose trade has fallen by around 50%, added: “I don't suppose I will survive a month of it, things are that tight.

On Wednesday, Wessex Water waited until rush hour had passed before starting work and the following day the workforce was called away to an emergency incident in Wemdon Rise which meant they had to temporarily down tools.

However, on Friday workers were on site from 8am and work continued on Saturday.

And Wessex Water said weekend working would be taking place to complete the work as quickly as possible.

Wessex Water spokesman Ian Drury said: "We wrote to all businesses in St John Street to make them aware of the essential work and the need for the road closure. This provided an opportunity to raise any issues before work started.

“The road closure was publicised by local media, on advance warning signs and on legal notices in the area.

“We understand the concerns of local traders and on Friday we personally visited them to see if there was anything else we could do to help.

“Our message to the community is that it is business as usual and shops are accessible while the essential work takes place. We would urge people to continue to support local businesses during this difficult time.

“We will endeavour to complete the work as quickly as we can and hope that through extended hours and weekend working we will be able to open St John Street earlier than planned.”