A BURST water main has brought problems for traders on Wakefield Road.

But now Yorkshire Water, who on Thursday closed two of the four lanes of the busy road at Moldgreen, say they may compensate businesses for loss of trade.

The company yesterday added it hoped work would be finished by last night.

Traders on the A629, including a locksmiths, a hairdressers, a furniture shop and a veterinary surgery, say the roadworks have played havoc with their businesses.

Appointments have been cancelled, visits have been fewer and staff and customers have been unable to park their cars.

The leak from a nine-inch pipe is the latest cause of disruption on the ill-fated road.

Wakefield Road has closed five times in little over two years.

In October 2007 a burst main closed several schools, in September 2008 Moldgreen School closed when the same mains burst again.

In September 2009 two major bursts in five days affected homes and motorists.

Graham Reading, manager of Simply Lighting, said: “It’s been an absolute nightmare.

“We’ve complained to Yorkshire Water and their contractors and we’ve managed to get to them to let our delivery vehicles in but basically we’re not going to get anyone coming in.

“They’ve promised it will be finished by tonight and we’re desperate for that. The trouble is it keeps happening.”

James Hobson, showroom manager at Paper Box Interiors, said: “There has been an effect but there’s nothing you can do. If you’re driving up there, you’ll take one look and think: ‘I can’t be bothered with that.’

“The only upside for my business is I sell unique stuff so they will come back. The problem is it’s not the first time it’s happened.”

Jane Prentice, co-owner of Vanilla hair salon, said: “It’s been quite stressful. We can’t have clients parking outside and that’s had a lot of effect. We’ve been here five years and it keeps happening.”

Staff at Anrich veterinary surgery say their staff and customer car park has been blocked off and customers have been postponing appointments.

Practice manager James Weston said: “It’s been very quiet since. I wouldn’t say we’ve lost business but it’s been a real inconvenience.”

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said: “Obviously we appreciate this will cause quite a lot of disruption and that will affect business and we apologise for that.

“In terms of loss of trade we will consider each business on a case by case basis.”