Harlescott crossroads works 'are ruining Shrewsbury business'

A Shropshire businessman claims roadworks at a busy Shrewsbury junction are having a "catastrophic" effect on his business.

Work is being carried out to improve the safety of the crossroads in Harlescott, close to the site where 14-year-old Ben Somers lost his life in October 2008.

Today Steve Salmon, a partner at Bedsenz, in Whitchurch Road, said the works meant he had lost passing trade to his bed shop because people were no longer travelling along the route into town.

He said: "With the current economic circumstances I have just about been able to keep my business going."

He added: "To be so close to making it through and to have all that effort destroyed by the unthinking way these works have been approached has been heartbreaking."

But today highways bosses said the roadworks were needed and would soon be over. Hugh Dannatt, group manager for traffic and highway engineering at Shropshire Council, said: "We apologise if there is any effect on Mr Salmon's business from the roadworks."