SHOPKEEPERS have reacted with concern to news that the railway crossing and parts of several roads in Highams Park will be closed to traffic for six weeks while gas works are carried out.

The closures, in Larkshall Road and the Avenue, began yesterday - exactly a year after the same area was shut off for nearly two months because of gas maintenance.

The National Grid said the repairs are being carried out now because the school summer holidays mean the roads are quieter, but worried businesses fear it will have a devastating impact.

Ali Guner, who owns Strawberry's sandwich and ice cream parlour right next to the crossing, said last year's closures cost his business an estimated £7,000.

He said: "For me, because our speciality in ice cream, the summer is supposed to be the busiest time of the year, but it's already a lot quieter now.

"For this to happen two years in a row is going to have a big impact - I'm not sure if I can survive.

"I only found out about it on Monday."

Kimmy Johnson, owner of the Highams Park Counselling Centre, said: “It's going to kill trade down here. It's already been chaos. And what happens if an ambulance wants to get through?

“I don't understand why they didn't finish the gas works last summer.”

Ken Foggo, who has been the manager of the Clean-Inn Centre for more than 30 years, said: “A major part of the problem is that when the works are going on there's nowhere for customers to park.”

But Sandeep Christian, of the Highams Park Society, said the closure was not all bad.

He said: “It is inconvenient for a lot of people but it does make Highams Park more peaceful. Because it's the holidays there are lots of children about, so having fewer cars does mean that the roads are safer.”

Mike Payne, secretary of the Highams Park Forum, said: "Most of our members are quite relaxed about it. Everyone accepts the works have to be done and the summer holidays is probably the best time to do it, although it will be difficult for the shops."

A spokesman for the National Grid said existing metallic gas mains in the area were being replaced with new hard wearing plastic pipes.

He added: “It was agreed to conduct this phase of the work in two phases as we needed to close the level crossing to traffic to ensure that the work could be completed safely.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that our essential work may cause and we will do our utmost to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.

“If anyone has any enquiries about our work in Waltham Forest they can call our project helpline 0800 096 5678.”

Some traders can apply to the National Grid for compensation.

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