Traders say long-running road works and no car parking are having a damaging effect on their businesses.

Shopkeepers in the Leopold Road area of Wimbledon said disruption caused by UK Power Networks digging up the road is causing problems for their businesses, with a drop in customers and unbearable noise.

They said the work, which began at the end of January has over-run and is causing problems for them.

The busy road, usually with two lanes going in both directions, has been turned into a one-way street, with no access from the Alexandra Road end of the town and parking has been suspended.

UK Power Networks apologised for any inconvenience caused and said it was necessary to carry out urgent repairs.

It said it did not know exactly when the roadworks would end but said it would be soon.

Joe Milazzo, director at Esente Hair in Leopold Road, said he has experienced a 20 per cent drop in customers since the work began, and other businesses have lost more than that.

Mr Milazzo said: "During the day we have passing trade but that has dropped off to nearly zero.

"People avoid the area now."

He said there was no customer parking because of fences put up over the car parking spaces along the road, and the noise of drilling had been incredibly loud.

Chris Whiting, the manager at Robert & Edwards butchers said: "Everyone has been affected.

"People can’t stop.

"We’ve been blocked off by vans and fencing and people don’t know we’re here.

"Without a doubt we have had less customers coming in - people say they can’t park so they drive off."

UK Power Networks said it wrote to all affected customers in the area to inform them of this work and the reasons behind it and to inform people their power supply would not be affected by this essential work.

A spokesman said: "UK Power Networks would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers while we carry out essential repairs in the Leopold Road area.

"While our network is extremely reliable, it is sometimes necessary for us to carry out urgent repairs such as this, in order to ensure that our customers continue to enjoy a reliable power supply.

"We always strive to keep any disturbance to a minimum in such cases, and liaise closely with the local authority and other key groups."