The Abingdon Road at Standlake will be reopened sooner than expected, but for at least one local businessman it comes too late to save his livelihood.

David Lewis, 51, has had to shut his Italian car salesroom and garage and lay off two mechanics because of the loss of passing trade.

Thames Water closed the A415 between Standlake and Brighthampton in October last year for six months while they replaced sewer pipes to stop homes from flooding.

A spokesman said the company wouldl be working over Easter to get the road open by mid-April instead of May as planned.

Mr Lewis, who has sold off most of the stock at Forza Italia in Standlake Business Park, Witney Road, said: "It's closed us down. We shut on February 28 and since then we've just been clearing up.

"We had no customers in whatsoever, people don't bother coming down the road now from Abingdon or Oxford.

"It's the repair work that's suffered. I hoped it would get better but it's been worse since the start of January."

Mr Lewis estimates he has invested £72,000 in the business. He had hoped to move the business to Bicester, but said the loss of income had made that difficult.

Hilary Bennett, from Thames Water, said the work should be finished ahead of schedule in mid-April. She said: "The weather has helped, although it's been cold it's been a very dry winter, and they're going to work through Easter.

"We want to get out of there as soon as possible because the residents and businesses have been extremely patient.

"I believe there have already been consultations with local businesses about compensation, and it's something we're keen to get sorted out sooner rather than later."