TRADERS who lost customers and suffered road disruption for 16 weeks because of gas maintenance work are preparing for another nine weeks of misery.

The Harrogate shop owners fear the latest work will affect pre-Christmas trade into November and December, with shoppers avoiding the area.

A month ago, gas workers dug up part of Otley Road near the shops at Harlow Hill.

Traders said it caused a drop in takings and they fear the same will happen again.

A letter from the contractors said the work will take nine weeks and will start between October 20 and 29.

Butcher Peter Busfield, whose takings were down more than 20 per cent during previous disruptions, said: "The latest work will affect the traders' run up to Christmas. There will be more disruption for residents, shopkeepers and drivers - and people in cars will just avoid the area again because of the temporary traffic light delays."

Traders accept work has to be carried out but are angry that this will be the third time the area has been affected by contractors working for Transco.

Rossett ward councillor Bob Nash said: "Quite frankly I was horrified to hear that the same traders are being affected again. The other works dragged on so long."

A spokesman for Transco said work involved replacing old metal pipes with plastic ones. He said: "We have already completed work on Otley Road which affected businesses a month ago. This particular job takes in several roads in the area."