Major disruption is set to hit a town centre as a water company installs a new �1 million supply main.
Seven Trent has announced plans to dig up High Street, in Market Harborough, from June.
Traders fear the roadworks will badly hit businesses struggling to survive after the recession.
The company says the major main, which is hit by leaks, will take five months to replace.
It will be the third time in six years that the town has faced major upheavals because of water company projects.
Independent Retailer Association spokesman Malcolm Lever- Jones said: "Some of my members are dismayed the company is doing this work during the best trading time.
"Many small shops will not survive. They were badly hit by lost trade when the flood works and water supply projects were carried out in 2004 and 2005.
"We managed to get some compensation in the past. But some of the smaller traders have not fully recovered and yet more disruption could be the last straw.
"We will take the schedule with a pinch of salt. The two previous water projects have overrun by months."
The main will run for over a mile from a covered reservoir on the northern edge of town, down Burnmill Road, via Bowden Lane into High Street, right into Coventry Road to its junction with Farndon Road.
It will mean the road will have to be dug up.
Leicestershire County Council highways engineer Clive Howe said: "We have worked with Severn Trent to keep disruption to a minimum.
"There will be road closures and signposted diversions in the town.
"The work will be carried out during the school summer holidays, which is a time with the lowest numbers of traffic movements.
"We cannot prevent the company from doing the work. Our aim is they get in and away as quickly as possible."
Janice Hubery, 47, of Gardiner Street, Market Harborough, said: "It seems they are always digging up the town centre.
"If the work needs to be done, we shall have to endure it.
"However, I think they could have chosen a better time."
A Severn Trent spokesman said: "The water pipes are ageing and prone to leaks, so are in need of replacing so that Severn Trent can ensure a quality, uninterrupted supply of water to its customers. The size of the main is also being increased to allow for the new 629-property development off Farndon Road, in the town.
"We have delayed the work in this part of the town until the school holidays to avoid as much disruption as possible.
"We apologise for any inconvenience and thank the community for their patience."
Exhibitions on the project will be held at the library at Robert Smyth School, in Burnmill Road, on May 17, from 5pm to 7pm, and May 31, from 6pm to 8pm.
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