A 10-metre long crater has been left in Newport town centre for six weeks because of a row between Telford &?Wrekin Council and National Grid.
Work to replace an old gas pipe on New Street started on January 14 and was scheduled to take three weeks to complete.
But the road remains closed as the borough council and the National Grid lock horns.
And Newport High Street will now also need to be dug up to complete the project.
The council has blasted the National Grid for failing to inform them that High Street would be affected. But National Grid has criticised the council for not returning their calls.
Adrian Lawrence, Telford &?Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Environment said the borough council is waiting for a call to explain exactly what it going on.
He said: “Having started work in New Street, they realised they needed to work in the High Street which requires another notice.
“Instead of serving notice immediately they left contact with the council until the works were nearly finished in New Street and phoned us asking for what is known as an early start notice.
“We cannot tolerate utilitiy companies failing to plan ahead and advise us of necessary works because this disrupts communities and creates problems for traffic and pedestrians alike”.
Jane Taylor, a spokeswoman for National Grid, said its attempts to contact the council had fallen on deaf ears.
She said: “Over the past four weeks we have been trying to arrange a site visit with Telford & Wrekin Council to discuss the best way to carry out the required work on High Street.
“Unfortunately we had no contact from the council until this week. We just want to get the work finished.”
The gaping hole is blocking the main route to New Street Car Park, and is also affecting nearby businesses.
Newport Beds manager Mandy Marley said the area looked a mess.
She said: “The first we knew about any roadworks was when a sign was put up.
“First it was three weeks, then six and now who knows?
“The only communication we have had is from the gas workers. There’s been nothing from the council.
“The whole area looks a mess and it’s bound to affect trade.”
Partridge Opticians owner Matthew Partridge added: “We would definitely expect a bit better communication. If the work does move onto the High Street then it will cause even more problems and customers will just stay away.”
