THE closure of a main road following a sewer collapse has ‘killed’ a newsagent’s business.

Worsley Road in Winton has been shut between Parrin Lane and New Lane since July when a Victorian sewer collapsed.

It is the third time in two years it has collapsed and it is not expected to be fixed for another six months.

Ray Carty, who owns Carty Newsgaents, said: "It has killed our business in the morning, it’s not worth opening.

"I still open up but I used to have people queuing up outside waiting for me to open and now I’ve lost them all.

"I’m hoping I will get them back and I’m pretty sure I will because I treat them pretty well.

"I’ve lost a fortune in trade and I’ve got to fight to get it back."

The road is expected to be closed until spring next year while workers carry out £1m of repair work.

A United Utilities spokeswoman said: "We could not investigate the area until we had removed some sections that had totally collapsed and also the movement affected a water main, which burst, causing further difficulties.

"We have removed the collapses and cleaned the sewer and the next job is to fully investigate the condition of the sewer with a camera survey. The sewer is about 100 years old and is very poor condition.

"It has now become a major £1m project to replace 200m of sewer.

"We are fully assessing all the latest techniques for replacing the sewer and if possible we will do this without digging up the whole road. However, this takes time and it is likely to be six months before work is completed.

"Since July we have been writing to local residents and traders to update them, and we are considering the issue of compensation for businesses."

Diversions are still in place from Parrin Lane onto Monton Green, Monton Road, Half Edge Lane (B5229), Gilda Brook Road, Bentcliffe Way, Corporation Road, Church Street through to Liverpool Road.

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