Businesses on the Cregagh Road say they are losing hundreds of pounds everyday due to ongoing roadworks "causing chaos".
NI Water has been carrying out works in the East Belfast district for around three months as part of a scheme to connect newly-built apartments to the mains water supply.
Taking place for six weeks before the Christmas period and six weeks after it, businesses said that it has had a huge impact on them as customers are "avoiding the area" due to the "chaos" that has been created.
Traders have said that they are losing roughly 40 to 50% of their normal trade everyday as a result of the work and feel that it has put them in a position where they are struggling to justify staying open.
Philip Coulter, who runs Bethany Fruit Market, told Belfast Live: "These works have had a huge impact on every single business along the Cregagh Road and we have been losing hundreds of pounds every day that they have been here.
"It started before Christmas, which would be our busiest time of the year and had a real impact on us then, and now they have started up again we are under even more pressure.
"Cafes that are normally full of people every day of the week are empty, customers are avoiding the area entirely because they are unable to park nearby or even walk properly along the pavement.
"It has got to a point where we are struggling to justify keeping the business open while they are ongoing because the works are having such a negative affect on us.
"The most disappointing thing is that there seems to have been no engagement with any of the businesses in the area and how this would impact us."
Orla Smyth, owner of Kaffe-O on Cregagh Road, said that her business has suffered disruption since the beginning of the year with the works taking place directly outside her cafe.
She said: "These roadworks have caused absolute chaos around here. Most of the access to businesses has been lost to the point where some are not even able to have their bins collected. I can't imagine what it has been like for residents living here.
"We are down between 40 to 50% and this will be the same for nearly every business here and there will be many who cannot afford to take a loss like this at this time.
"It is the lack of engagement that has caused the most frustration. We understand that the work needs to be completed but it feels like there has been no thought given as to how it would impact businesses and residents here."
Green party councillor Brian Smyth has been supporting businesses throughout the works and hopes that something can be done to ease the impact of the loss of trade.
He said: "I totally understand local traders frustrations at this work. They feel like they've been ignored and are suffering more financial loss, as this work drags on. Many are still trying to find their feet after two years of impact with the Covid pandemic.
"These small businesses are a vital part of the community fabric along the Cregagh and Woodstock Roads, providing employment and services to this part of the East. There needs to be a better way in how to protect small businesses like this, with future maintenance work. I'll also continue to support local traders, some have spoken of asking for a rates rebate or financial redress and I'll explore those areas with them."
A NI Water spokesperson said: "NI Water is currently carrying out essential pipe laying work to provide drainage infrastructure for a new development on the corner of Cregagh Road and Loopland Park. The estimated timeframe for the work was six weeks and NI Water’s contractor is currently on track to complete the work ahead of schedule.
"NI Water appreciates work of this nature is disruptive and would like to thank local business owners and the public for their ongoing patience and cooperation. We would like to assure the public that our contractor is doing everything practically possible to complete this essential new drainage to service the new development next week.
"A lane closure is currently in place to protect the general public, road users and construction workers while this essential work is taking place.
"Letters were issued to businesses four weeks in advance of works getting underway and information was also on niwater.com as well as NI Water’s social media channels: https://www.niwater.com/news-detail/12049/work-gets-underway-on-new-storm-sewer-on-cregagh-road-belfast/
"NI Water’s contractor has maintained pedestrian access to all businesses within the lane closure area and has installed temporary pedestrian crossings where the permanent crossings have been affected by the pipe laying works."
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