Frustrated traders say a major route has become a “ghost town” since it was shut off for emergency gas works a week ago.

Gas firm SGN closed the A28 Wincheap in Canterbury at 2pm last Wednesday to carry out urgent repairs to the network.

Residents say the road’s closure has caused “absolute carnage” across the city, with an ambulance among the vehicles left stuck in standstill traffic.

Side streets have also become gridlocked as motorists try to find a way in and out of Canterbury.

Businesses say the closure – which is set to stretch to at at least 13 days - has also had a “detrimental effect” on trade.

Dee Patel, who runs newsagent Bonbon, says he is down about £400-£500 a day in takings.

“It is the main road to Ashford and there are schools nearby so people cut through and we always get the passing trade,” the 46-year-old said.

“Even after work, people come through here.

“Two weeks is a long time and something like that should be manned [by workers] 24 hours a day, not as and when.

“It is the quiet season for me at the moment so it does have an impact.”

Josh Neale, a manager at cafe Shot Space, says he has noticed a drop in customers since the closure was put in place.

“It has had a detrimental effect on everything in Wincheap, whether that is socialising or business life,” the 23-year-old said.

“With the cafe, we have been rather quiet as not many people want to drink their coffee to the ambient sound of the earth being drilled up. It has not been great.

“We are a chilled cafe and it is never heaving, but the average is up to four tables sitting in at once and that has severely dropped.

“Wincheap is a very communal area with people chatting on their doorsteps, but that has come to a halt.

“The social aspect of Wincheap has died and we call it a ghost town at the moment.”

Ari Mahmoudi says both his businesses, Vape Express and Wincheap Mini Market, have suffered.

“If anyone wants to come from the other side of Canterbury to my shop they are not going to make it,” the 31-year-old said.

“It will easily take 20 minutes, rather than five.

“I have easily lost customers and it has affected both of my businesses.”

In a statement yesterday, SGN spokesman Bradley Barlow says work is “progressing well” and the firm hopes to complete repairs by the need of the week.

“All being well, we aim to reopen the road in the week commencing, Monday, November 6,” he said.

“Due to operational difficulties, including the size and number of excavations required, we temporarily closed Wincheap both ways for everyone’s safety.

“Significant signed diversion routes are in place for motorists and we would advise motorists to avoid travelling if possible, or leave extra time for their journey.

“We have also temporarily closed Simmonds Road, Gordon Road and Tudor Road at their junctions with Wincheap.

“To complete our work as quickly as possible, we’ll continue to work extended hours every day from 7.30am to 11pm.

“We are sorry for any disruption our work may be causing to the local community and would like to thank them for their patience while we complete these urgent repairs.”

The work is being carried out at the junction with Simmonds Road, which has been closed at its junction with the A28.

Kent Highways has warned those travelling in the area to expect delays.