Work to repair Victorian sewage pipes in Station Road have brought traffic to a standstill and left nearby shops and businesses counting the cost.

But the expected eight- week schedule has been cut in half and Anglian Water say the road could be open again by Saturday.

Paul Reeley, store manager at Waitrose, said: "The roadworks have caused a major problem and affected lots of people in this area of the town.

"But my criticism is mainly aimed at the initial radio announcements describing traffic chaos in the town and the closure of Station Road until August."

Mr Reeley said this stopped many shoppers who travel in from villages and towns coming to Sudbury.

"This was a major problem in the first week and we definitely suffered," he added. Four weeks ago, Anglian Water was forced to dig up the road to repair a 30-metre section of damaged waste water pipe at the corner of Station Road and Great Eastern Road.

Mr Reeley said: "I have no complaints with the work – it has to be done and thankfully trade has picked up again recently.

"The workmen themselves from Claret Engineering have worked exceptionally hard at getting the job done."

Paul Tatum, owner of Fleetway Garage on Great Eastern Road, said he had lost £1,000 per week since the roadworks started.

"It has been a nightmare for us. I normally do 40-50 tyre changes a week but in the last two I've done a total of four. We just aren't getting any passing traffic.

"But they have been working late and through the weekends to get the work done. It's been tough, but we just have to get on," he said.

A spokesman for Anglian Water said if everything goes to plan, the road was due to be resurfaced tomorrow and the traffic would be flowing as of Saturday morning.

jonathan.schofield@sudburytoday