FURIOUS shopkeepers in the Broadway, Woodford Green, are demanding an answer to the latest disruption hitting their businesses.

Still recovering from last year's Central Line fiasco and months of roadworks and other maintenance, they were shocked when boards and scaffolding went up last week, marking the start of yet another round of works.

Thames Water has sectioned off an area near Woodford Underground station to carry out necessary work to prevent water pollution. But it will take around 14 weeks and means taking away 12 parking bays located outside shops.

Although shopkeepers are not against the work being carried out, they want to know why there was no consultation with them beforehand. They also claim they are receiving little support from Redbridge Council.

Mary O'Shea, from Broadway Music and Vision, said: "It's just another smack in the face for businesses around here. We all pride ourselves on being accessible for people to get to and from us without much trouble.

"We appreciate things are disrupted when work has to be carried out, but it seems to be one thing after the other and we're never told beforehand. It suddenly appears and then we're given a letter telling us about it."

Mrs O'Shea said: "We're also fed up with the lack of support we feel is given to businesses here, in regard to crime prevention. We've asked for more protection like CCTV, yet while Ilford gets everything, the rest has to suffer. We were also promised concessions on where people park during the disruption, but we've got nothing."

Fellow shopkeeper D Patel, from Gray Bros Ltd hardware store, said: "Our shops rely heavily on passing trade, people popping in for the odd item or two. The problem is not now, but in the future. Once people find another place to go, they're unlikely to return."

And Shirley Skingley, from the Artisan Gallery, said: "With everything being so disruptive, it's turning people away in droves and small shops like ourselves bear the brunt."

A Redbridge Council spokesman said: "We can only suggest people will have to park elsewhere while work by Thames Water is carried out. However, we're looking into the parking problems caused by the works to see what can be done to alleviate the disruption."

Thames Water said the work was to prevent polluted water from flowing into drinking water when there were severe weather conditions like storms and flooding.

A spokeswoman said: "Firstly, we apologise to all who have been disrupted, but we're doing all we can to reduce the intrusion.The work has to be done, otherwise it will cause major pollution problems if there is a severe storm. We're aware of people's concerns and will gladly answer any questions they may have."

For more information on the Thames Water work, you can call 0845 9200800 and quote ref. BB596590.