STREETS near Wellington Hill West in Henleaze have been turned into rat runs since it was closed for water works, residents have claimed.
Householders living in the nearby Manor Farm estate say that drivers coming down the busy road take a detour into their streets when they realise it has been shut.
A long stretch of Wellington Hill West was closed on Monday by Bristol Water, and will remain shut until mid-November, as part of a £22-million scheme to replace 100-year-old water pipes.
The Bristol Resilience Scheme started last October and will see many of the city's old water pipes replaced.
Manor Farm residents already suffer from clogged streets due to contractors and hospital staff parking on the roads outside their homes.
Tony Wittcomb, 71, who lives in Maskelyne Road, told the Post: "It is impossible to get around this area without driving down numerous residential roads.
"I am lying in bed and at around 7.30am the noise of cars roaring up and down the road wakes me up.
"We already have problems in this area with staff and contractors from Southmead Hospital parking in our roads, making them dangerous, and this has made it even worse.
"I feel like the water company has just had a planning brainstorm and decided to shut a long stretch of the road at once, without thinking how it affects us. This closure is in place until November, so the situation feels like it is never ending.
"Utility companies seem to be able to do whatever they like whether it affects people's lives or not."
Traders in Harbury Road had also been concerned that the works in Wellington Hill West were going to badly effect their trade.
Bristol Water has since agreed that residents and business customers can access the area.
A Bristol Water spokeswoman said the amount of time spent in Wellington Hill West had been extended due to dense rock found underground. She said the company had been in extensive talks with councillors and residents in the area, and had listened to their concerns.
"Extra signage has gone up in the area, and we have tried to adjust the size of our compound in Bishopthorpe Road to stop people from moving it and coming into Manor Farm," she said.
"We are very sympathetic to businesses and residents affected by the closure, but the Manor Farm roads had been used as rat runs long before our work started.
"Unfortunately the work is essential and the benefits it will bring will be long lasting."
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