Businesses along Botley Road, Oxford, are resigned to fluctuations in trade caused by the lengthy roadworks outside their doors.

Joe Devlin estimated trade is down by about £300 to £350 a day.

Mr Devlin, who has run Eggs Eggsetera for 14 years, said lack of parking was affecting passing trade.

"They came along on Sunday night and shut the parking off and didn't tell us", he said.

Joe Devlin, right with Lyn Hawkins of Cake Expectations

But while some long-suffering traders are fed-up with Thames Water's renovation programme, others say the work has had little or no effect.

The closure of one lane between Oatlands Road and Alexandra Road has caused delays for commuters, especially during rush-hours.

At times, traffic has tailed back to the A34 exit at Botley Interchange and through the city centre.

Traffic jams tripled journey times, and the chaos is likely to continue until the lane reopens on Sunday.

Police warned motorists to try and avoid the area during the ten-week programme which started on July 23.

But local newsagent Dave Marjara, of D and P Newsplus, felt the situation had improved.

"Our trade was affected in the first week but it's picked up again and people are still stopping outside," he said.

Jonathan Beever, manager of the Carphone Warehouse branch said their trade had not yet been affected.

He added: "We're on the corner of Helen Road with our own parking so it's not been a problem."

At Warland's, trading as Botley Road Bicycles, partner Andy Holme was in a buoyant mood.

"It's not affecting our trade at all," he said.

"We've been kept very well informed, from a business point of view as well as on the residential side. We're very happy.

"The generators on at night are very quiet and there's very minimum disturbance.

"In some ways, we get increased trade because people sit in the jams outside looking at the shop and see what we're selling, then come back later and buy a bike!"