WORRIED traders claim their area is becoming a 'ghost town' because of roadworks.

Shopkeepers along Lea Gate in Harwood have reported trade losses since resurfacing and Transco work began more than a week ago.

The route is closed between Tottington Road and Bradshaw Brow and the work is likely to take around five weeks to complete.

But traders are worried Bolton Council diversions are keeping shoppers away when they can still reach the shops.

Joan Berry, aged 49, owner of Labels for Less, said: "Harwood is like a ghost town and my sales are down.

"I think the diversion is very misleading because you can still get to Harwood from Bury and Tottington.

"They can go down Hardy Mill Road and Longsight Lane instead they are being diverted down Stitch mi' Lane and coming down towards Tonge Moor.

"It is open to access so people can drive up the road and park outside my shop."

Mrs Berry said motorists are gaining access to Lea Gate from Bolton Road near the Crofters Hotel traffic lights, depending on what work is being carried out at the time.

She said: "They are letting some people through from Bolton but occasionally they will park their JCBs there."

Anisa Essa, aged 22, owner of Lea Gate Newsagents said: "We have not been as busy as we normally are and we have lost passing trade.

"Sometimes people can get through and sometimes they can't. We want to let shoppers know that they can reach our store."

Residents living on nearby roads say they are facing a four-mile detours just to get home.

They claim access rights to their homes just yards along the troubled route have been cut off.

Jane Torrance, of Catterall Crescent, Harwood, said: "I was forced to go on a four mile diversion because the entrance to my street was just 100 yards into the start of the road works.

"The council promised that residents would be allowed access.

"Travelling from Bromley Cross, I had to go along Bradshaw Road through Affetside. The road is narrow and usually quiet but there were a lot of drivers forced the long way round. It's ridiculous."

Traffic from Bolton will be diverted from Tonge Moor Road along Thicketford Road, New Lane, Stitch mi' Lane and Hardy Mill Road.

Residents driving to Bolton from Harwood are asked by Bolton Council to use the diversion in reverse.

Council chiefs say the only section of road where vehicles will not be able to pass is at the site of the culvert near Bradshaw Conservative Club.

Access to properties either side of that obstruction will be maintained, but no through traffic will be allowed.

A Bolton Council spokesman said Transo requested the road to be closed.

He said: "The road is closed but people who live there can gain access to their houses.

"If they do not live there then they should not use it."