ANGRY traders who say roadworks have decimated their businesses for three weeks now want a rent rebate.

Shopkeepers in Byron Parade, at the junction of Uxbridge Road and Star Road, in Hillingdon, have seen their previously busy shops left empty, because customers have nowhere to park.

Anton Takacs, who runs Byron Butchers, said: "We had a leaflet through our door on the Friday afternoon and the works started on the Monday. We had no advanced notice at all.

"We rely on people to park up, but now I've got an empty shop. I thought the council were supposed to be supporting small businesses."

Zedd Khan, who runs Zirkon Travel, said: "It has stopped people coming in completely. We also do a lot of business over the phone, but this has been impossible because with all the noise from the diggers outside, my desks are vibrating."

Raf Khan, who owns Zirkon Furnishers, between the other two stores, said he had been particularly badly hit. "I can't sell anything, and we can't get any deliveries. We couldn't deliver a bed to customers, so we have had to promise them a 10 per cent discount when we deliver next week.

"We are losing money. We usually have 40-50 people coming in during a week, but instead we have about four or five.

"We should have had more notice, it's ridiculous. They are spending £75,000, on what? They say it is to improve safety on the road, but it won't achieve any-thing - it didn't need doing.

"Why are we paying our rates? I'm sure they could give £1,000 back to us for the loss of our trade."

Mary Worrall, head of highways and green spaces at Hillingdon Council, said a letter was sent on February 19 indicating work would start on February 23, although it actually started on March 6.

She explained: "We are raising the service road to the level of Uxbridge Road and widening the central reservation to provide extra protection to motorists waiting in the centre of the road.

"Unfortunately it is inevitable that there will be some disruption while work is taking place, and we thank residents and shopkeepers for their patience."