Traders feared their businesses would be hit at one of the busiest times of year when a main road is closed for essential works.

Queens Road in Weybridge could be closed for nine weeks as Veolia Water lays new water mains throughout August.

The Olympic test bike race on August 14 means work cannot start immediately, and so is likely to continue into term time, sparking fears of traffic chaos in the already congested area.

Businesses are concerned the traffic will put off customers and are demanding to know why the work cannot be done through the night, like it was with nearby Seven Hills Road when pressure was piled on.

Philip Hammond, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, said: “It seems that there may be a possibility of shortening the closure, but there isn’t the option for one-way traffic as we’d hoped.

“I’m hoping the closure will be quite a bit shorter than planned. A revised programme is expected by the end of the week.

“I’ve had quite a few calls and emails about it, but nothing like the number I had over Seven Hills Road.”

Impeccable menswear shop has 16 weddings over the August bank holiday weekend and Phil Markham, one of the managers, said he was worried how the closure would affect deliveries and collections.

Simon Ashwell, head of office at Savills estate agents, said: “As a business, it is a huge inconvenience because we accompany all of our viewings. When the schools go back, it will be a living nightmare. It will be gridlocked.”

Under the plans, Queens Road will be closed between St George’s Avenue and High Pines Close, which will include Haines Bridge and a small section of Oatlands Avenue, at its junction with Queen’s Road.

A spokesman for Veolia said: “We do appreciate the concern of residents and business and we apologise for the inconvenience caused while we carry out this work.”

Veolia held an open afternoon in Weybridge Hall last month, which Cherie Plaice, manager of Slate clothing store in Queen’s Road attended.

She said: “Most of us down here are independents and really rely on local customers. I think it’s ridiculous.

“I went to the meeting and was horrified when they said they couldn’t work through the night. September is a key time for the shop because it is when the new clothing lines come in.

Mrs Plaice said: “I accept they need to do the work, but nine weeks is such a long time.”

Work commences on August 15. Pedestrian routes will remain open, as will access for residents and emergency services.

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