WORRIED Richmond traders fear massive disruption to their businesses if developers decide they need to close a road for two weeks. Shop owners on King Street are vowing to unite if the developer at number 17 deems the action necessary.

A week ago it was feared closure was inevitable when near-by businesses and residents received a letter stating "Part of the work involves new connections to services in King Street, and we have arranged with the Local Authority for a closure order to King Street commencing April 12 for 14 days."

However Richmond upon Thames Council have since confirmed that no such closure has been approved, but a spokesman for the council insisted: "Under two acts of parliament if they apply correctly for road closure we have to give it to them."

Planning permission was granted for an underground leisure swimming pool in the grade two listed building at the end of last year and work has already caused disruption for businesses.

But with the threat of road closure owners are becoming increasingly concerned. Helena Richardson, of Open Book, said: "Closing the road would cause chaos, more so than the closure of George Street did earlier this year." And she insisted: "When we received the letter we assumed that it was a statement of fact."

Jenny Morris, owner of the Lion and Unicorn bookshop is concerned that no businesses were consulted about the closure. She said: "I would have thought from the council's point of view it is only courtesy to consult with retailers first because there are quite a lot of us. It is a matter of concern and I hope that even if the council say yes there will be some way to make our views known."

But is not just shop owners on King Street itself who could be affected, Mary Spiteri of Tit for Tat on Paved Court believes it would affect her business. "I have had customers ringing up saying they find it hard enough finding somewhere to park let alone having to worry about the closure of the street."

A united front is now being called for. Heather Morrison, assistant manager of Neal's Yard Remedies, said: "I think everyone is quite keen to get together. The general feeling is that something has to be done as a unit rather than as individuals."

Richmond South councillor Rodney Bennett says the developers have now informed the council that they will not be carrying out the work on the date stated in the letter. He claimed this was due to the time scale available and the reaction the developer had received from local residents.

But he insisted: "The final decision over the work and whether they apply to close the road will be taken by the developer."

A spokesman for Lattimore Associates, the architects working on the development, said: "At the moment we are looking at the idea of not processing it through the channels we wanted to, where it would involve closing the road. However we still have a right to do the work."

Justifying the issuing of letters before the closure of the road had been agreed with the council the spokesman went on to say: "The letter sent out on our part was out of courtesy."

Richmond council confirmed they had asked the developer to issue a letter withdrawing earlier comments about the closure of the street.