TRADERS have hit out at the planned closure of a busy road, claiming it will severely affect their businesses.

Parts of Leigh Road in Westhoughton will be closed for seven weeks from Monday, July 21, while an old gas pipe is replaced.

As part of the works - which will not be completed until February 2009 - there will also be temporary traffic lights placed at different points along the road as partial closures are put in place.

Craig Sandiford, who owns the Village Store, in Hindley Road, said: "We're not going to get the passing trade from Westhoughton, Atherton and Leigh.

"About 75 per cent of our business comes from passing trade first thing in the morning and in the evening, as people travel to and from work."

David Heard, of Daisy Hill DIY, in Leigh Road, said: "Everyone will have to use Wearish Lane to get out of Daisy Hill, instead of Leigh Road so they won't come anywhere near here.

"I think this closure is going to have a major impact on our trade. If it was just a couple of weeks then we would grin and bear it but the road is being closed for at least seven and then there will be disruption all the way until February."

Pauline Keable, of Village Hair and Beauty, in Leigh Road, said she was also concerned about parking problems. She said: "I think it is going to be horrendous. It is very hard to park around here as it is, but when the road is closed people who use Daisy HIll train station will dump their cars here and walk up the road."

Th traders are now calling for signs to be placed around the town to make residents aware their shops are still in business.

A spokesman for National Grid said: "We apologise for the inconvenience we are causing but this is essential work to maintain security of gas supplies to the whole area.

"We know we're working in a sensitive location and have planned with the local authority to try to make sure we get work done as quickly as possible.

"There is a process for traders who have lost business to as a result of our works to claim compensation."

The bulk of the works will take place between Cricketers Way and the junction with Hartford Road. The temporary lights will be places at points between Daisy Hill train station and Schofield Lane.