Delayed roadworks 'must be completed by November'

The months ahead are "daunting" due to town centre roadworks taking longer than expected, traders have said.

The centre of Leominster is being regenerated in a £3m scheme, with pavements being laid and roads resurfaced around the High Street and Corn Square. Since renovations began in May, some shops have seen takings fall by 75%.

Works were due to finish this month, but issues with drainage and materials mean they will not wrap up until the end of November.

Herefordshire Council said it had introduced two hours of free parking and held business support advisory sessions in a bid to help.

Samantha Morgan, who runs Drapers Lane Delicatessen, said it had been its worst summer of trading since opening five years ago.

She added: "We've operated in summer months during a pandemic. This year [there] was a big decline in trade.

"You wouldn't want to sit outside and enjoy a nice lunch because of the disruption of the roadworks."

She said she thought local residents had stopped coming into town and added: "It can't possibly go into December. It has to be completed by November. December is such an important trading month for the whole town."

Carol Powell, a volunteer at St Michael's Hospice who shops in the town regularly, said it was "really unfortunate that it's happening".

However, she added: "I can see that it's desperately needed... I've seen so many people slip over on the uneven surfaces, so I'm quite sure that it will be better."

Alison Taylor said it was "hard going for everybody," including disabled people trying to access services.

She added: "In the shop where I work, I know that our takings are down by more than half.

"Free parking is not enough. It's a little bit and it's too late."

Herefordshire Council said work represented the final stage of a £3.4m programme, including £1.5m from Historic England.

It added the initiative had delivered £651,000 of grants to improve historic buildings including many business premises, £17,000 for shop front grant improvements, £36,000 to provide free local wi-fi and a £2.1m public realm and highways improvement.

A council spokesperson said this would deliver "a range of benefits", including a vibrant streetscape that would draw more visitors.

They said the authority had received positive feedback over work completed so far.

The council said it would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and was providing £2,000 to help promote local events.

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