Frustrated traders say noisy roadworks blocking half a high street are putting customers off visiting their stores.

Southern Water is carrying out emergency repair works to a collapsed sewer in Ashford’s Lower High Street.

The road was closed at the junction with North Street earlier this month and contractors are expected to remain on site for two more weeks.

Tanuj Patel, owner of The Chocolate Box newsagents, says he is losing vital trade as a result of the works.

“Business has been very quiet because of the roadworks,” he explained.

“We didn't have any indication they would be starting work and it is concerning it will take two more weeks.

“Customers say it is too noisy and they find it hard to get through as the footpath is now very tight.

“I think they should speed things up, and put up a sign to say businesses are still open.

“It has delayed some of our deliveries.”

Dave Kekewich, who runs a food van in the Lower High Street four days a week, says the diverted footpath is so narrow that potential customers think they can’t get through.

“Most days it has been okay but when they have two vehicles parked up, it makes it look like the whole street is closed,” he said.

“When people look down the high street they can't see anything and it doesn't look like it is open.

“It has to be done, and I understand that, but if they moved the vans out of the way, people would be able to see the high street is still open.

“The footpath is very narrow and there is no signage to say the town is still open.”

Mahendra Gurung, who owns Nepalese Fast Food, a food van in the Lower High Street opposite Sports Direct, says he hasn't noticed any problems.

“It hasn't been too bad,” he said.

“There has been a little drop in customers but the road is closed during the day anyway because it is a one-way road.

Saeed, who runs the fruit and veg market, says he also hasn't noticed any problems.

“It isn't affecting us, it needs to be fixed so there is nothing we can do,” he said.

A spokesman for Southern Water said contractors have dug out a four-metre deep hole.

“We’re sorry for the disruption this is causing residents and businesses in the area,” he said.

“This is a significant repair and is likely to take time to finish. We have teams working around-the-clock including weekends carrying out this repair, which due to the depth of the excavation and other utilities in the area, will take time to complete.”

A festive market to coincide with the Carnival of the Baubles is due to be set up in the Lower High Street from November 23 to November 26.

The market will be made up of food and craft stalls between McDonald’s and Imperial China.

In a letter to traders, Ashford Borough Council, the authority running the event, said: “We are working with all parties to have updates on when the emergency works will be completed.”

Earlier this year, traders in the Lower High Street faced weeks of work as Kent County Council replaced uneven cobbles with black tarmac.

The work formed part of a £600,000 project by KCC to improve the “look and feel” of the town centre, as well as “enhancing” safety for pedestrians.