HOMES and businesses in a pretty corner of Christchurch are facing an extra month of misery as work on a £200,000 improvement scheme for historic Millhams Street grinds slowly on.

Hopes that the work would be finished by the end of July have been dashed by the slow progress as contractors work around underground pipes, cables and ducts unmarked or inaccurately located on the plans.

The work which began in May is not now expected to be completed until September with continued noise, dust and traffic chaos for residents and traders in the street.

And the work is costing businesses dearly in lost trade as customers boycott the area.

Pam Colley who runs the Ducking Stool Tea Rooms said: "A lot of customers are elderly and can't get down the street. Those who do come in are not coming back because it is so noisy and dusty.

"We only had seven customers on Tuesday. It is hardly worth opening and I can't afford to pay staff to stand around doing nothing all day."

Parry Brooks who runs the Inspiration soft furnishings business in the Old Malt House reckoned his trade had been slashed by 40 per cent because of the works and he is pressing Christchurch council for a rebate on his £3,000 annual rate bill.

But council senior engineer Bob Baker said the work which includes resurfacing the one-way street with stone blocks and widening the pavement to create parking bays for residents was on target to meet the original 14-week contract period and residents and businesses had been consulted and kept informed throughout the project.

He said: "The contractors set a target for 10 weeks but that has proved not to be possible because the work has been slowed by the presence of utilities.

"Clearly whenever you are involved in work where there are businesses there are going to be some problems and it is regrettable that there has been a reduction in trade.

"Nevertheless, there was overwhelming support from residents and traders for this work to go ahead and it is being done as quickly as possible."