December is normally the busiest month of the year for Stewart, who owns Grantham Lawnmowers.

In the same week last year he serviced 40 lawnmowers and garden machines, but had only a fraction of this booked in last week.

He said: "It is looking grim. People don't bother bringing their lawnmowers in because they can't stop outside to unload them.

"About 60 per cent of our customers come from the Vale of Belvoir. They can't get down Springfield Road from the A607 side and don't want to follow the diversions through town.

"For us, this is the equivalent of telling a toy shop they can't sell toys in December."

Stewart says the partial road closure is making it virtually impossible for him to receive deliveries as lorries can't unload in the normal way.

He said: "I have machines that weigh half-a-tonne being delivered and I am expected to get them 300 yards down the road from where the lorries are having to drop them off.

"Now, it's easier for me to collect machines and parts myself, which is costing me time and money. We are going to have to put up with this until at least March, but it is ruining our business."

Stewart fears his problems may be compounded by the discovery of a gas main in Springfield Road – which may prolong the work.

Area highways manager Mark Heaton said: "During the Bovis Homes work, a gas main has unexpectedly been exposed and we await the advice of the gas board before anything further can be known.

"Works are able to continue as programmed in the meantime."