ROADWORKS that caused disruption in Welshpool in recent days led to "swearing and beeping" but no loss of trade in the town centre.

Essential works to install a new gas pipeline in Welshpool town centre created delays and diversions for cars navigating the town between Saturday and Monday, October 31, when they reopened at about 2pm.

Ann Smith of Celtic Company said: “There’s definitely been some adjustment period, with cars going up and down the street when they have to turn back because of the closure.

“It’s funny to think that it’s been so long since cars have travelled that way down this road. It takes us back to before the one way system was in place.

“The notice to businesses on the high street was appreciated, and I feel sorry for some of the workers who have been confronted by agitated drivers as it’s not in their control.

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“I understand the inconvenience but it’s work that has to be done.”

Sylvia Bates: “There was a bit of swearing and a bit of beeping from drivers on the first day, I think the lack of clarity has agitated some people who weren’t expecting to have to make a detour.

“We had a quitter Saturday morning than we expected, but I can’t say for sure if that was to do with the roadworks.

“If it was though, things picked up again as people became more used to the system and we haven’t noticed a big fall in business or a real lack of customers.”

Jonathan Fleet of Welsh Computers said: “It’s not been too bad. I understand that it has to be done and it was nice to get some forewarning about the what was going to happen, as someone came in a few days beforehand to give us a rundown of the situation.

“It’s not that there are really any measures we can take but it helps to be aware of what’s happening and have some knowledge of the impact it might have.

“Personally I haven’t noticed a lack of business over the past few days. Yes there’s less traffic going right down the high street but people can still walk down here, so there’s been no huge decrease in footfall.”

Earlier in the week Welshpool Town Council discussed the possibility of the works disrupting their planned Warm Hub at Town Hall.

Though the work will be completed on time before the hub opens to the public, councillors described the time frame as “cutting it quite close”.