Traders are furious roadworks outside their businesses will go on until September.

Brighton and Hove City Council has confirmed its £500,000 improvement scheme in Palmeira Square, Hove, will continue through the summer despite an original planned finish this month.

It said a string of setbacks out of its control had caused delays.

Traders claim there are often as few as two workmen on site and weeks drag on with scant progress.

They say business is down as much as half and are organising a petition asking the council for a reduction in their business rates.

Work started last January to improve crossings, reduce traffic speed and provide new street furniture around the Floral Clock and was supposed to last six months.

It is now estimated all work will be complete by mid-September.

A council spokesman blamed the delay on:

*Work by Southern Water immediately before the council's project taking longer than planned.

*The discovery of shallow telephone and electricity cables which had to be lowered and protected.

*The discovery of uncharted basements under the ground which restricted the use of heavy machinery.

*A leaking gas main which had to be repaired.

The spokesman also said delays had been caused by the council rescheduling some of the work to try to minimise disruption to traders on particular days such as over the Mothering Sunday weekend.

He said: "We apologise to residents and traders in the area for the inconvenience caused by the delay.

"But once the scheme is completed there should be no need to revisit the site for many years to come.

"The improvement scheme will deliver considerable benefits to residents and traders alike by creating a much safer and more pleasant environment for the area."

Traders were not placated.

Karen Morris, of Bona Foodie on the south side of Palmeira Square, said: "It's just awful - a right mess.

"If it was in Germany or France they would have teams working around the clock but here sometimes there are just two people working at a time.

"They don't seem to be making any progress."

Andrew Philippou, partner in Hothedz Hair Salon in Church Road, said trade was down 25 to 30 per cent.

He said: "People are always complaining about the traffic and saying it's hard to get here.

"It feels like it's dragging on forever. It never looks like much is being done."

Sharif Shehada, owner of Good Taste Caf on the corner of Palmeira Square, said: "We are collecting signatures on a letter we are going to send to the council to ask them to at least give us a reduction on our rates.

"We are about 30 per cent down. Customers have nowhere to park.

"Summer is usually our busiest time. It's an absolute nightmare."

Paul Elgood, councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, said: "I support the scheme and have done throughout.

"However, all the councillors are extremely concerned about how the project is being managed and the amount of slippage that's occurring.

"The council should have undertaken an intense work period to get it done as quickly as possible and well before the commencement of the summer months.

"I'm also concerned that the worst is yet to come because they're about to start working on the south side where most of the businesses are."

Friday, June 23, 2006