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Shops fear eight-week road closure will hit trade

BBC Huw Murphy is wearing a grey zip-up fleece and has short grey hair. He is stood next to a yellow road sign which reads "gwaith yn dechrau yma 09:00 - 06/01/2025 am 8 wythnos", which is Welsh for "work starts here at 09:00 - 06/01/2025 for eight weeks"BBC
Councillor Huw Murphy says the works are essential but he worries about how businesses will cope

Shop owners in a seaside town have said they fear they will lose business because of an eight-week road closure.

Essential works are being carried out to replace a culvert under the A487 in Newport, Pembrokeshire.

There will be a diversion through the town for cars and vans, but lorries face a 35-mile (56km) detour.

The Welsh government said every effort was being made to minimise disruption.

The roadworks will begin on Monday and remain in place until at least 28 February.

Although the longer diversion applies only to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, councillor Huw Murphy, who represents the town on Pembrokeshire council, said businesses were worried about the effect of the work.

He said: "The problem for us is that in Newport there are no easy diversionary routes.

"The road will be closed but Newport won't be closed. I do think it's going to have an impact on the local economy."

He added the town relied heavily on tourism, hospitality and leisure and there was a "real risk" that would "fall off".

A road in front of a small stone wall with yellow lines drawn to mark where the culvert is
The culvert runs under the A487 in the centre of Newport

Isobel Fallows, who owns Elements on Market Street said: "We all appreciate it needs to be done.

"What we're concerned about is letting people know that Newport is still open and businesses are still open."

Isobel Fallows has long wavy brown hair and is wearing a pale furry fleece and white jumper. She is stood in front of a sign that says elements and a small Christmas tree
Isobel Fallows runs a shop on Market Street near the roadworks

Emma Downey from Tides Kitchen and Wine bar, said "miscommunication" over the closure had caused concern.

She said: "People have thought we're going to be completely closed off which we are not going to be.

"But it is a worry. We have a half-term in February."

She added there was "no sign" of compensation or support.

Emma Downey has short blonde hair and is wearing a grey roll neck jumper and green apron. She is stood in the shop front of a deli
Emma Downey says businesses will be open as normal

Tomos Meredith, from Ffynnon homewares shop, said he had been offered "nothing at all" in terms of financial help and claimed the Welsh government had refused "point blank" to offer any compensation.

He said the closure followed a difficult period for businesses and said policy changes around second-home council tax in the county had also had an effect.

"People have a perception that tourists are not welcome. That's a problem for us," he said.

Tomos Meredith outside a shop with stone walls and some hanging Christmas decorations. He has a beard, short hair and is wearing a blue jumper and grey trousers. He is holding a small dog
Tomos Meredith says he hasn't be offered any compensation for the disruption

Jo Fredrickson, who runs the Angel House pottery and gift shop, said it was going to be a "very difficult time" and people visiting the town would have "a bit more trouble".

"We need people to know we're here and we need their support," she added.

The Welsh government said consultations had taken place to identify the "least disruptive time of year" to carry out the works and "direct support" was available from Business Wales for companies facing uncertainty.

It added the works were essential to "ensure the long-term resilience of the road and mitigate against the impacts of climate change" and a full replacement was the "only option".