SHOPS could be driven out of business by constant work carried out on their road, it has been claimed.

George Raymond, who runs hairdresser Clip Joint in Station Road, Sidcup, said he knew of one shop owner on the brink of suicide due to plummeting profits.

In recent months the road has been made one-way from Longlands Road to Halfway Street due to work by Southern Gas.

Now Bexley Council is also closing part of the road and making restrictions for around 32 weeks while further work is carried out.

Mr Raymond, who has run the business for 27 years, said: “People are avoiding the area.

“It’s like a ghost town over here.

“For the council to come in for another 32 weeks will slaughter us.

“One of the shop owners is suicidal.”

He met with Old Bexley and Sidcup MP James Brokenshire and organised a petition signed by around 50 businesses, calling for a year’s postponement so shops can recoup their costs.

Owner of Sidcup Cycle Centre Nigel Hill said he had increased the shop’s opening times by two-and-a-half hours but profits are still down.

He said: “I don’t think the council is taking into consideration certain businesses here are living on their savings.

“Without the opportunity to draw breath they won’t be able to hold on any longer.”

Cabinet member for transport Councillor Peter Craske said: “We will be providing new and free parking bays, something businesses have long been calling for.

“It would be far worse to have the roads and pavements repaired after the gas works, only for them to be dug up again at great expense next year.”