Businesses on a busy suburban Birmingham street fear six months of roadworks will damage their trade.

Birmingham City Council road repairs contractor Amey has started rebuilding a bridge over the River Rea in Dogpool Lane, Stirchley, with disruption due to last 30 weeks.

The works are to tackle persistent flooding around the bridge, which was built in 1907.

It was reinforced with two supports in the 1990s to allow more weight to be carried but this has limited how much water can flow underneath at high water times.

A section of the road will be closed between the junctions of Moor Green Lane, Dad’s Lane and Cecil Road.

Craig Morrison, manager of KC’s Barbers in Dad’s Lane, said: “The end of the road has flooded for the last 10 years.

“This is a pass through road and it’s quite busy, but traffic will be diverted. It’s not going to be good for business. I’ve only been here six months and I’m trying to build the business and get the regulars in.”

Petros Petrou, owner of Dad’s Lane Fish Bar, said: “I’m trying to get compensation. I just feel like I need some help to tell people that the famous Dad’s Lane Fish Bar is still up and running.

“Thirty weeks is a long time. I’m a bit worried. It’s concerning for my customers. I know I’ll lose passing trade. I don’t want my regulars to be put off coming here.

“For the first couple of weeks it’s going to be tough. We’ve been here for 43 years and I think we’ll be OK. We try our hardest.”