ESSENTIAL work to channel water under an improved road system in Canal Road, Bradford will close the vital route for days during the coming three weekends.

And major businesses gearing up for Christmas fear inevitable disruption will hit trade on those weekend dates.

As part of widening Canal Road at the Stanley Road junction, a new Bradford Beck culvert must be built plus an extension to an existing watercourse - which means the road will be closed for two successive Sundays plus one busy Saturday.

Bradford Council insists: "Local businesses will not be affected by the closure and access will be available to them and to homes at all times."

But the details of diversions via the parallel route of Manningham Lane have sparked concern.

The first closure will be from 10.30pm on Saturday, November 22 until 6am on Monday, November 24.

The next will be from 10.30pm on Saturday, November 29 until 6am on Monday, December 1 at 6am.

The last closure will be from 10.30pm on Friday, December 5 until 6am on Sunday, December 7.

A council spokesman said: " ‘Business as Usual’ signs will be put up to ensure customers are not put off and Bradford Council’s contractor will notify residents and businesses directly about the closure.

"Diversion signs will be in place and variable message traffic signs will be used to warn and advise traffic."

But Volvo dealership boss Clive Brook said the move was sure to drive potential customers from Shipley and Airedale well away from Bradford.

"You've got to take your hat off to Bradford Council, who've done it again - this will stop anyone coming into the city from the north and send them off to do business in Harrogate and elsewhere," said Mr Brook, managing director of the prestige dealership on Canal Road, beside the Queen's Road bridge.

"But we have had lots of issues with the road and I daresay we'll cope with it as we always have."

Timber merchant Arnold Laver does good DIY trade on Saturdays and manager John Gabbat said he was sure it would deter customers:

"We are closed on Sundays, but there's bound to be an impact on Saturday trade, without a shadow of doubt," Mr Gabbat said.

Staff at nearby Bradford Motorcycles said weekends were their busiest time especially now the biking season had quietened:

"Customers who know about the closures simply won't come and those who don't know will be in for a big shock. But we'll definitely be open for business," a worker said.

At well-known garden centre ACW a spokesman said it was unwelcome as Christmas gift hunters would be put off by the closures.

Cllr Val Slater, Bradford Council Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Transport, said: "We apologise to any travellers facing disruption because of the closures, but we are certain that the final result will make up for the temporary inconvenience.”

"The scheme is designed to bring transport benefits to this strategic corridor while also opening up new development opportunities in Canal Road and Airedale, as well as assisting the delivery of the New Bolton Woods regeneration scheme."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: