Motorists face delays in Dereham next week when part of the High Street is closed.Anglian Water is shutting off a stretch of the main road into the town centre to connect a property to the mains water supply, which will force drivers to take a detour.

Motorists face delays in Dereham next week when part of the High Street is closed.

Anglian Water is shutting off a stretch of the main road into the town centre to connect a property to the mains water supply, which will force drivers to take a detour.

The work will take place between the corner of Norwich Street and the High Street near Argos, and the start of Church Street, near Woolworths from Monday.

And while pedestrians will still be able to use the pavement, drivers will be diverted along London Road to Station Road, then to Neatherd Road/Wellington Road before reaching the Market Place.

The detour will not only add extra time onto journeys but also increase the volume of traffic along the

route.

Stephen Cross, chairman of Chamber of Trade, said: “Of course there will be an impact. When any road is closed it always affects the rest of the town.

“Hopefully it won't deter people from coming in and locals will still be able to find their way around. The car parks are still accessible.”

Nigel Sizeland, manager of Wright's Walk/ Chapel Walk shopping centre, said: “It's the tail end of the sales. It would have been nice if someone could have notified us.

“If the work has got to be done then it's got to be done. But at this time of year it could affect the sales and shop deliveries. The problem is if people hear getting to Dereham is going to be a nightmare to get to then they will avoid it and we all lose out.”

The road will be shut from Monday, January 14 to Wednesday, January 16.