One of the entrances at Finchley Central Station will re-open this week, according to London Transport.

This is after traders claim their businesses have been severely affected since London Underground closed the Station Road entrance in February.

But leaseholder of Risley's Newsagents, in Station Road, Satish Raja, said: 'I'll believe it when I see it. Nothing's been happening there for weeks and I've lost a lot of money from this as commuters are now bypassing Station Road.'

Hampstead Garden Suburb councillor John Marshall, who uses the station regularly, is calling for London Transport to compensate the businesses who have suffered loss of trade from the closure.

Mr Marshall said: 'The longer the delay, the stronger is the moral case to compensate traders affected by this.'

Ticket gates were due to be installed months ago but work stopped when the contractor found gas, electricity and water mains in the embankment.

Station services delivery manager Howard Collins said: 'I'm sorry the Station Road entrance has been closed for so long but it will re-open next week.'