A SHOP owner claims his business is being "killed" by roadworks.

David Heard, owner of Daisy Hill DIY in Leigh Road, Westhoughton, has described the closure of the top end of the road an 'absolute nightmare'.

The closure means customers are struggling to drive to his business and are having to park and walk from hundreds of yards away.

The road will be closed while United Utilities lay a new water main to protect water supplies for 6,000 homes in Westhoughton and Hindley. United Utilities started working in Leigh Road last week and will be on site until March 2.

Mr Heard, aged 50, of Daisy Hill, said: "It's complete mayhem out here. I've got no passing traffic outside my shop, so no one can see me.

"Business has been dreadful since the work started — it's killing me. I've had customers having to park hundreds of yards up the road who weren't even aware this work was taking place."

Westhoughton South councillor David Chadwick, who is Bolton Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "I will speak to the highways engineers to raise the concerns expressed by Mr Heard.

"I understand where he's coming from because clearly business is difficult to get these days.

"My advice to any customers of his or anyone wishing to access Leigh Road over the next few weeks would be to park near St James' Church in Lower Leigh Road, which is just round the corner."

United Utilities have met with business owners and say they are sorry to hear about the issues being faced by people in the area.

A United Utilities spokesman said: “We’re sorry to hear about these problems and we are investigating with our contractors about what has happened.

"“We’re laying a new main to protect water supplies for 6,000 homes in Westhoughton and Hindley.

“We wrote to residents and businesses around a month ago but there appears to be some confusion because the council is also carrying out resurfacing work in the area.

"We’ve reassured local business owners about our loss of profits policy and put out extra Businesses Open signs.

"We will be finished by March 2nd and we thank local people for their patience in the meantime."