TRADERS in Sunnybank fear they will be driven out of business after branding a road closure "illegal".

Around 13 businesses in Sunny Bank Road have complained that they should have been given a minimum of seven days notice for the closure of the road, instead of the two days warning they received.

Now the angry group are looking into the possibility of claiming compensation from United Utilities, saying they will be thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Pictured (from left) are the upset traders, Laurence Schofield of JLS, postmaster John Mogg, Hilda and Peter Maguire of Choice Cuts, Andrew Davidson of Aubrey Isaacson solicitors, Richard Hartley, Stephen Downes and Tracey Lund of Sunnybank Service Station.

An official announcement about the road closure, set to last six weeks though it could extend to three months, was issued in the Bury Times last Friday (Oct 11) and the road was closed to traffic from Monday (Oct 14).

It is claimed letters were only distributed to residents and businesses on Saturday (Oct 12) informing them of the closure.

Diversions for vehicles wishing to access Sunny Bank Road from Manchester Road have been put in place while contractors for United Utilities carry out vital sewer work.

Peter Maguire, of Choice Cuts butchers, said: "If the road is closed for three months it will cripple our Christmas trade. We could be £3,000 to £4,000 down in a week in the run up to Christmas. As it is now, we were dead quiet on Monday and I had to fill my afternoon painting instead of serving customers.

"One lady, who is a regular customer from Tottington, telephoned me to say she could not get to the shop. As she was unfamiliar with the area she gave up on the diversion so I offered to deliver her order myself."

Tracey Lund, who runs the Sunnybank Service Station with her family, said no-one would make the three-mile diversion just to obtain petrol and added: "Monday was just diabolical, were were absolutely dead. I usually finish work at 6pm but I ended up going home at 4.30pm as there was nothing to do."

Postmaster John Mogg is also fearful of the effects of the road closure and the length of time it will be closed.

He said: "Even if they get the work done in six weeks it is still leading up to our busiest time. Post offices are teetering on the brink anyway but this could see us off altogether. Time is of the essence now and I think they should get the work done as quickly as possible."

All the traders believe that if they had been given more notice they would have been able to prepare for the closure and warn customers in advance.

Mr Maguire said: "No one seems to bother but this is an illegal closure. We should have got the statutory seven days notice and we are now seeking legal advice."

Speaking at Whitefield and Unsworth area board on Monday, where the issue was raised, borough engineer Mike Cannon agreed that more notice should have been given but he said that responsibility lay with United Utilities.

A spokesman for United Utilities, whose work will help prevent untreated water damaging the environment after a heavy downpour, said: "We apologise to customers for the inconvenience but we are carrying out vital environmental work to improve streams and brooks around Bury.

"Unfortunately, we have had to close Sunny Bank Road to allow us to do this and we have sent out 700 letters to residents and traders informing them of what we are doing."

He said the work had actually been brought forward so it could be done during the school half term holiday when there is less traffic on the road and added: "We do realise this is short notice and we have put on a free shuttle bus along Sunny Bank Road so people can still get to the shops. The work is expected to last about eight weeks and there will be some disruption but there will be real long term benefits for the environment."

Further details about the bus are available by ringing 0161 228 7811.