TRADERS say "chaotic" roadworks, due for completion six months ago, are eating into their profits.

Works to introduce road humps and other traffic-calming measures around Sydenham Road, between Kirkdale and Silverdale, were begun by Lewisham Council in October 2003 and were expected to be finished by February 2004.

Traders complain the ongoing nature of the roadworks partly caused by gas pipeline company Transco replacing gas mains have caused their takings to slump by as much as 50 per cent.

Optician John Fried, of R Woodfall Opticians, Sydenham Road, said: "We are up in arms. It's total chaos in Sydenham. On many days, the council's contractors are not even on any site doing any work and some of the work is having to be re-done due to bad site management."

The Sydenham Society says its concerns over a scheme to widen pavements and narrow roads to slow down traffic on Cobbs Corner, where Westwood Hill, Kirkdale and Sydenham Road meet, have been proven right.

Lewisham Council is now completing what is thought to be a new design a smaller roundabout with wider approach roads within the space of just a few months.

Chairman Pat Trembath said: "The previous design was causing traffic to mount the roundabout even as it was being built.

"Pavements have been taken up, roads closed and traffic diverted, all causing continued prolonged misery, particularly for the old, infirm and blind."

Meanwhile, a section of Kirkdale, from the railway bridge on Sydenham Road to the junction with Wells Park Road, will be closed for the next two months while Transco replaces more gas mains.

Work will then start along Sydenham Park Road, which will be closed for six weeks from the beginning of November.

A Lewisham Council spokesman aid: "Unfortunatley, because of the ongoing gas main works, road alterations cannot at present be completed."