SOUTH West Water says it will listen to traders in Okehampton who claim they have lost money due to road closures brought about by repairs to the sewer system.

It follows work on a £250,000 scheme to improve Okehampton's sewer network. The task is now complete and SWW has refurbished or replaced 4,000 metres of sewer serving around 3,500 residents in the area.

The utility company said it had done all it could do to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and traffic, and finished three days earlier than scheduled.

Many businesses in town said they were happy with the work but will be claiming compensation as the disruption caused by the repairs meant their takings fell significantly.

Allenton Fisher, the owner of the post office in George Street, said: 'South West Water have been excellent, very polite and undertook a job in the town which had to be done. But the fact is that they make money from our sewage and they are a commercial company. I am sure if we disrupted their business and infringed on their profits then they would have no hesitation in claiming against us.'

Mr Fisher, who is deputy chairman of Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade, added: 'My business has seen a drop in trade of 25 per cent compared to the same time last year. It's not just so simple as making a claim to South West Water for a few hundred pounds, you have to show them figures from your business for the past few years.'

Mr Allenton said he knew of other businesses that would be seeking compensation.

Work started on Sunday, July 11 and finished on Thursday, August 19. It took place during the summer holidays, to enable Mill Street to be used as a diversion route without the additional traffic to Okehampton College.

SWW project manager Stephen Cross told the Times: 'We'd like to thank all our customers for their patience during this essential work.

'We worked closely with Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade and the town council to support businesses and minimise disruption to the public as far as possible.'

Using the latest technology, South West Water's contractors employed 'no dig' techniques wherever possible, to minimise disruption. But the location of some sewers meant some roads in the area had to be closed for health and safety reasons.

All businesses, schools, hospitals and care homes affected, said SWW, were visited by a customer liaison officer before work started.

A SWW spokesperson added: 'Because of the location of the sewer, we were legally obliged to put road closures in place on Fore Street and East Street.

'Access was maintained to car parks, and taxis could pick up and drop off passengers. We also put up signage to advertise that businesses remained open during the works.

'While we have done all we can to minimise disruption to businesses, traders who feel they have lost money as a direct result of our actions can call our free customer services helpline on 0800 169 1144 to discuss our compensation policy.'

But not all traders will be making a claim. Jean Swift, of Abstract ladies' fashions in Red Lion Yard, was full of praise for the way the water company went about the task: 'I think South West Water did a fantastic job and instead of looking on the negative the traders should be more positive and saying, "we are open and ready to go".

'They even finished three days early and I think the company and their contractors Balfour Beatty did really well. The message that should be getting across to people is that we are not down in the dumps as a town, so come to Okehampton, enjoy yourself and see what we have to offer.'