ONE of the traders hit by the closure of a busy town centre road says his takings have dropped by 75 per cent.

John Gelder is among the businessmen affected by the decision to close the northern end of Gosport Street, Lymington, for up to six weeks.

Southern Gas Networks (SGN) has erected signs saying drivers can still access firms in the area affected, but traders say their custom has plummeted.

Mr Gelder, proprietor of Lymington Autocentre, said: "Our takings are down 75 per cent in the first week, which is frightening.

"People are just avoiding this part of town. It is a nightmare."

Alexander Coppin, owner of A&M Seafoods, said the road closure was likely to cost him about £500 a week in lost trade.

He said: "I'm a wholesaler who is also open to the public - but I have not seen a single member of the public all week.

"People do not know I'm still open. The signs Southern Gas have put up aren't working."

Gosport Street is one of two main routes in and out of the town centre.

Earlier this year SGN used temporary lights to control the traffic while they replaced a cast iron main with a new plastic version.

Just weeks after the route returned to normal engineers have begun to perform a similar task at the other end of the street.

This time the section of road affected has been closed to through traffic.

Northbound drivers are being sent along Cannon Street and East Hill, which involves only a short detour.

Cannon Street is one-way, which means southbound drivers - including those heading for the town's railway station - are having to go via Southampton Road and High Street.

Motorists say the alternative route is adding several miles to their journey.

In a letter to residents and businesses, SGN says Gosport Street will be closed between Cannon Street and Bridge Road for up to six weeks, but claims that access to properties will be maintained at all times. Traders might be eligible for compensation if the closure continues for more than 28 days.

Despite repeated attempts by the Daily Echo SGN declined to comment.