Leisure boss fumes at Shrewsbury A5 roadworks delay
A Shropshire buisnessman has spoken of his disappointment after roadworks near his firm were delayed, hitting his Christmas trade.
Tony Bywater, chairman of caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure, said he was looking forward to the work on the A5 Emstrey roundabout in Shrewsbury ending on December 19.
But the Highways Agency has confirmed the work will continue for at least another month.
Mr Bywater said many people, including mothers with children, have been put off from visiting Santa's grotto at the company's headquarters alongside the roundabout because of the "disruptive and confusing" roadworks.
"We have suffered for months because of these roadworks and it would have been our best ever Christmas present had they finished on time," said Mr Bywater.
"As a company we have been very supportive and patient during the upheaval because we realised that the work had to be done.
"But the roadworks have adversely affected our business and we remain concerned about the safety of our customers as they try to negotiate the roundabout with all the road cones.
"We are extremely disappointed about the delay and hope that there will be no further hold up. We also call upon the contractors to finish the roundabout properly by felling the trees in the centre and landscaping it in a way that will help the visibility of drivers.
"We have always taken great pride in the appearance of the roadside outside our business and hope that the roundabout will be maintained to the same high standard."
Officials at the Highways Agency had pledged earlier this month that the £8.4 million works would be finished and fully operational on time, but later confirmed that traffic management will have to remain over the Christmas period, with workers due to return to the site in the new year.
Highways Agency spokesman Joe Wilson said: "Traffic management will have to remain at both sites over the Christmas period.
"Workers will be back to finish off in the new year. We are aiming to complete in January or at the very latest February. We are confident it will be January."
The work, which is also taking place at the Preston Boats island, started in June.
