The Welsh bridge in Shrewsbury is now open to traffic both ways after the gas explosion.

A Shropshire business leader has urged shoppers to return to Shrewsbury to stop the town losing independent retailers.

Simon Airey, Shrewsbury Business Chamber president, said traders had faced a triple blow with bad weather, the explosion on January 3 at the corner of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road and then flooding alerts in parts of the town.

He said he did not want to see independent shops in Mardol, near to the blast site, forced out of business and being replaced by charity shops.

Mr Airey said: “There are not many independent retailers left down Mardol. To lose any would be a major blow. We don’t want further charity shops.

“The charity shops have their place and are part of the town’s economy but we need to try to retain a mix of different retailers in the town.”

Yesterday traders nearest to the blast site appealed for shoppers to overcome the “fear factor” and return to the town.

Retailers revealed takings were down with the explosion having a major effect on trade as customers chose to stay away.

Mr Airey said: “It’s really one thing after another for poor old retailers.

“I’m very concerned that two and a half weeks on we still have roads closed.

“Until the roads re-open there are problems with congestion and people queueing to try to get into the car parks will continue. People are perceiving it’s difficult to shop in the town.

“This was an unprecedented event handled brilliantly initially but it’s really dragging on now which is desperately bad news for retailers in that area of the town.”

But Tim Sneddon, head of environmental maintenance at Shropshire Council, said the council had worked hard to get the town back to normal.

He said: “Engineers have been working extremely hard to get Shrewsbury town centre moving again following the explosion in Bridge Street.

“We have issued press releases and placed articles on the council’s website to emphasise that the town has remained open for business despite the enforced road closures.

“We are also having regular progress meetings with British Gas and are hoping to reopen more roads early next week, and if possible further pedestrian access before that,” added Mr Sneddon.

By Emma Kasprzak