A CAR parts boss claims that a misleading road sign is depriving his and other businesses of trade.

Egerton Street has been closed at the junction with Bolton Road since a burst water main caused havoc in the area last week, meaning traffic cannot drive over the bridge towards Bolton.

But the one-way street remains accessible from the direction if Bentinck Street as far as the closure.

Yet angry owners say that a sign placed at the top of the street lead motorists to believe the whole stretch is closed and their businesses are not open.

Carl Slater, managing director at Auto Crash Parts, in Gladstone Court, off Egerton Street, said businesses were ‘furious’ about the situation.

He said: “When people get to the street where it says ‘road closed ahead’ they are just steering away from us and will be shopping somewhere else.

“We were dead yesterday, we did half of what we normally do and we have 13 staff, it’s not a good situation - all this because of a burst water pipe.”

Mr Slater said he had contacted highways officers at Bolton Council but the problem had not been addressed. The Bolton News understands that the council is responsible for the diversion routes and Network Rail takes care of the signage.

Mr Slater said: “All they need to do is put a sign up saying ‘access to businesses’ and everyone would be happy on this street, but at the moment we’re very disgruntled, because we’re missing a lot of trade.”

He added that the diversion signs were also confusing motorists who drive down Egerton Street leading them to drive the wrong way up Egerton Street or Francis Street.

He said: “A car and a truck came up the one-way, I’m not talking 20 mph they were doing 40 mph, hurtling down the one-way.There will be an accident sooner rather than later, that is a guarantee.”

Tracey Dooley, manager at Phase Two Fitted Bedrooms, also in Gladstone Court, said: “I’m just hoping they can sort the signage out because there are enough roads going off like Cawdor Street that can lead you to Bradford Road and other diversions. If the signs are saying you can’t access Egerton Street, it’s very, very poor, nobody has given us any consideration.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We apologise for any confusion over signage and will make sure there is adequate signage to indicate businesses are open as usual.”

In respect of the confusion over the diversion they added: “While the diversionary route is in place motorists should follow the clearly marked route.”