A BUSINESSMAN claims that roadworks outside his Preston car lot are crippling his business as customers are forced to drive by.

David Bond, owner of Apex Trade Sales Ltd, said his family-run firm, which he has built up to a thriving business over the past four years, is suffering financially while traffic cones block the entry to his London Road premises.

The cones are in place while gas firm Transco carry out work to lay new gas mains -- work which was started in June this year.

Mr Bond said: "There is a sign up on the street which states work will be carried out from June 5 for approximately eight weeks. That's clearly not true. I've had calls from potential customers saying that they are interested in buying cars, but that they have been unable to stop and look. One man in Leyland called me to ask if I could bring a car over to him!

"I've ploughed my life savings into this company and I'm watching it go down the drain."

Mr Bond says he has been calling the Highways Department at Preston City Council for several weeks to try and find out when work will be completed. But so far, he claims, they have failed to respond.

Peter Corless, assistant director of engineering at Preston council, said while the authority did not have a lot of control over Transco or the contractors it is understood that the work has been delayed due to unforeseen difficulties.

He added: "The contractors have hit a 33kv cable which they are not allowed to deal with and have brought in United Utilities to sort the problem out.

A spokesman from Transco said that the company apologised for the delays and confirmed the work being carried out was problematic.

Work on the London Road project is expected to be completed by October 4.