TRADERS in a busy parade of shops will avoid losing out on their most lucrative day of the week due to a scheduled power cut, after the firm responsible was forced to delay repair works following a string of complaints.

EDF Energy has put the work in Woodford Green Broadway back by 24 hours after business owners said they would be forced to close on their busiest day of the week.

Traders were informed about the work less than a week in advance, but EDF have argued that this is more than the industry standard time of two days.

The works are the latest in a long line of disruption to the area, after pavements and roads have been dug up and resurfaced on and off since March.

A spokeswoman for the French energy firm said: “On Sunday we are due to carry out essential repairs to our underground electricity network in The Broadway area of Woodford Green. This work is needed following a power interruption in the area.

“We were originally planning to carry out the work on Saturday (July 31), but have decided to move it to Sunday in response to feedback from customers in order to minimise the impact of our work as much as possible. We will be writing to those affected again with the new date.

“For safety reasons our engineers need to interrupt power supplies to 43 customers in part of The Broadway between 8am and 4pm.

“Where possible we try to give customers as much notice as we can before we interrupt supplies so they can make alternative arrangements.

“The industry’s standard notice is two days and in this case letters were delivered last Wednesday and now further letters will be distributed with the new date.”

Some traders also criticised the fact that the planned work appeared to involve digging up pavements which were only laid a few weeks ago during a TfL-funded improvement scheme.

The spokeswoman said: “We do not believe our excavations will affect the stretch of pavement which has recently been resurfaced. However, any surfaces we need to excavate will be reinstated to the condition they were in at the start of the work.

“The work is necessary to ensure reliable electricity supplies and street lighting in the neighbourhood.

“We are sorry for any disruption it causes local businesses and residents but stress this work is important for the ongoing security of power supplies in the area.”

Chris Tompkins, who runs Kistrucks bakery, said: “It's absolutely fantastic news, we're so pleased.

“I've already spoken to another couple of traders down here, who were all very unhappy that the work was going on, but now they're delighted that they won't lose a day's trade.”

Pauline Latham, who runs Café & Co. said: “It make so much more sense that way so it's good for the area that they've changed the day.

“It's just a shame they couldn't have known they needed to do it before the new pavements were laid, because now they're going to dig them up and they've spent all that taxpayer's money to lay them only a few weeks ago.”

A Redbridge Council spokeswoman said: “The council is pleased that EDF have listened to the concerns of their customers in Woodford and recognised the difficulties that would be caused to local traders on what is the busiest day of their week. Moving their essential works to Sunday will lessen the adverse impact for traders.

“We are also relieved that these repairs should not impact on the recently completed areas of paving, laid as part of the council's scheme to enhance the shopping area, improving conditions for both the traders and their customers.”