Market Drayton roadworks 'will drive customers away'
Major roadworks could affect trade in Market Drayton and drive people away from the town, it has been claimed.
Traders and councillors have raised concerns about the impact the road resurfacing works would have on the area.
Market Drayton High Street will be closed until next Tuesday with a temporary, signed diversion route in place 24 hours a day.
As part of the work, Shropshire Street will also be closed on October 29 until November 3.
Alison Fellows, owner of Craft Revolution on Shropshire Street, said she was concerned about the impact of the roadworks on her business.
She added: "It is one of those when you have to be pragmatic. Work has to be done to improve the roads in the town but it does have an impact on trade.
"It is better to be done now rather than at the end of November when it would have hit me harder, and I am grateful they are combining the roadworks to get them all done in two weeks.
"However, I am not looking forward to it as I will feel an impact."
Nicola Docksey, owner of Tuesday's Chocolate and Confectionery, said she was not sure how it would impact her business but urged people not to be put off coming to town.
She said: "I have no idea how it will impact us.
It will make things harder but hopefully people will bear with us and keep visiting."
In addition to the town centre roadworks there is resurfacing work taking place between the A529 Spoonley Road junction and the A53 roundabout which is scheduled to finish by November 22.
Councillor Roger Hughes, who represents Market Drayton West on Shropshire Council, said: "I am concerned about the roadworks on the A529. A large proportion of our trade uses that road to access the town.
"It seems to me to be a long time to close off that main road."
Councillor Roy Aldcroft, mayor of Market Drayton, said the roadworks were well signposted and urged people to have patience while they take place.
He added: "There are a lot of signs around the town telling people what is going on but there will still be confusion. I would ask people to have quite a bit of patience while they are going on and be aware of people using different routes as they try and negotiate round the roadworks."
