Traders are concerned customers are being put off using shops in an Oxford road because improvement work is being carried out in stages.

Sajjad Malik is unhappy with the poor state of the road in Hollow Way, Oxford

Younus Ali, the owner of Holloway Autoparts, said incomplete roadworks in Hollow Way, Cowley, near where his shop is located, had put off customers.

But other traders were pleased that Oxfordshire County Council is improving the road, which is prone to potholes.

A council spokesman said the authority had decided to stagger work - which started in the summer and is being undertaken by contractors Isis Accord - through the school holidays to minimise traffic disruption.

He said the council had not received any complaints, but reassured traders work would be complete by the end of next spring.

Mr Ali said: "They have put new kerbs up, but they are too high and customers are complaining to me that their cars are getting scratched by it.

"There are no road markings on the street and the work hasn't even been finished."

One trader, who declined to be named, said: "The road was closed for two weeks earlier in the year and now they have left the job unfinished." Cowley city council member Sajjad Malik said: "They resurfaced the footpath, but left it half done - also the quality of the work is very poor. The footpath is not level.

"While they were building the new houses and the medical centre, the council painted 'no parking' on the road and did not remove it when the work was finished."

Alan Chamberlain, of electrical and plumbing suppliers Smith and Low, said the firm had suffered while the roadworks were being carried out but business was back to normal now.

He said: "If the road is being resurfaced, that's a good thing. We've got no problems now and I'm glad the council has decided to do the work in stages."

Council spokesman Paul Smith said the roadworks were due to resume in April's Easter school holidays and would be complete by the end of spring. After being contacted by the Oxford Mail, the council removed the 'no parking' markings.

Ashley Prior, the council's deputy area engineer, said: "Bus companies had requested that the council should contain its roadworks to school holidays.

"This means that an extra surface is still due to be laid next year. Kerbs are therefore very slightly higher than they would ordinarily be.

"However the council was very careful to leave the road in safe condition and we have received no complaints whatsoever since the last bit of work ended."