Traders say the Hume Council roadworks, which began on July 11, had cut off parking and blockaded their shopfronts with road barriers.

Seafood on Evans owner Tony Moussa said his takeaway business was feeling the financial pinch.

"I've lost between 20 to 30 customers a day. At night people don't come in.

"The council did notify us and I realise the work has to be done ... but they [the council] have taken 30 car parks in one go.

"They could have planned to take less parking at a time, and tried to make access to the footpath easier or done the work at night not to inconvenience customers."

Walshe Baird and Bell Pharmacy owner Peter Walshe said the works showed a lack of council planning to provide adequate car parking.

"The council has done the work in enormous sections and knocked a third of the parking in one hit. The council could have done it in stages."

Country Style of Sunbury owner Heather McGrath said her business was affected. The roadworks were needed but these could have been better planned.

Mystic Pizza owner Jim Agostino said the roadworks would affect his business.

"It will cut off our whole outdoor dining area ... the works could have been done differently or later at night."

Hume Mayor Jack Ogilvie said the works were programmed in stages to accommodate service authorities installing a water main and putting overhead cables underground.

"While it is inconvenient for traders and shoppers at the moment, the contractors are working as hard and as fast as they can.

"Car parking has been blocked off to ensure the safety of construction workers, shoppers and visitors to Evans Street.

"Traders will be kept up to date as works take place."

Cr Ogilvie said the work would make the street more shopper-friendly, with new pavement and landscaping, new street furniture and underground power lines. Work is expected to finish in October.

Details: 92052200 or www.hume.vic.gov.au