STRUGGLING traders face a bleak New Year after bombshell news that a Rowley Regis road is to be dug up for the second time in two years.

Businesses are still recovering from 11 months of road works when water and gas pipes were replaced in Gorsty Hill Road.

They were left reeling from the news of several weeks of disruption starting in January when National Grid will replace more pipes between the junctions of Coombe Hill and Cocksheds Lane.

Jayne Leeson, of Fantasia Party Shop, who was forced to shed a full-time and two part-time assistants as trade was decimated during the earlier road works, said the news was “devastating”.

Initially, businesses were told the work to replace a low pressure main would start on December 11, but the date has been pushed back to January 19 at the request of Sandwell Council.

Mrs Leeson said she and neighbouring businesses, including the Evergreen Pharmacy, Apex Wines and Lighthouse pub, were relieved disruption to the peak Christmas trading period had been avoided.

But they are questioning why the work could not have been combined with the previous pipe relaying.

Mrs Leeson said: “National Grid replaced medium pressure pipes two years ago and they want to replace low pressure pipes.

“We are still recovering from the devastating impact of the last lot of road works, although we got some compensation, it no where nearly made up for what we lost.

“It’s absolutely disgraceful and a waste of money digging up the road for a second time, so soon. Someone didn’t do their job properly and this needs addressing.”

A National Grid spokeswoman said when the work was done in 2012 it was not considered necessary to renew the low pressure main.

She added: “However, since that time, there has been an increase in the number of gas escapes found on the pipe and so it has now become a priority to replace it.

“The new pipe will be made of hard wearing plastic which, once in the ground will need little or no maintenance and will keep the area’s gas supply safe and reliable for many years. “