BUSINESS owners in Sunninghill could lose a significant amount of trading this summer due to much-needed gas works in the High Street which began on Friday last week.

The works mean that large sections of the thoroughfare will close throughout daylight hours until at least September 4.

Signed diversions will be in place and businesses will remain open as usual.

Beverley Williams, who has been an estate agent in Sunninghill for around 26 years, believes business on the High Street will be negatively impacted by the maintenance.

He said: “It will have no doubt an adverse effect on all our business if people can’t go into our High Street.”

Mr Williams is particularly worried because of the uncertainty in the housing market.

“It is easier for shops to see how they will be affected as they can look back on last year, but with an estate agency it is a bit of a roller coaster as we just don’t know.

“It has got to be done so we have got to face it. Even last year there was a smell of gas in the High Street.

“When we had the Victorian Fayre the smell was quite potent. With 5,000 people up and down the street it was a little worrying.”

Councillor Linda Yong, representing Sunninghill and South Ascot, said: “I do think it will be disruptive but it will be done during school holidays so we won’t have problems with school traffic.

“It is quite a complex job, it is not just putting a pipe through the old pipe.”

She added that affected businesses could seek redress by calling or writing to the National Grid.

“They have spoken to all the shops and if the road is closed for more than a certain amount of time shops can claim compensation if the shops can show they have a loss of income,” she said.

Robert Ellison, who is a member of Sunninghill & Ascot parish council, said: “We were informed that the gas works were going to happen and the work we understand is necessary.”

Mr Ellison, who also runs Champmans on the High Street, confirmed the current round of gas works would have a negative impact on retail trade.

Phil Walden, project engineer for the National Grid, said: “Replacing the ageing gas mains with tough new pipes will help make sure people in Sunninghill keep on enjoying safe and reliable gas supplies for heating and cooking.”

He added the work had been carefully planned in conjunction with other agencies to minimise disruption.