Welshpool one-way system work starts

Work on Welshpool's new one-way system started today despite dozens of travellers setting up camp around the site.

Workmen moved in this morning and began digging up part of the town's Church Street car park in preparation for the new one-way system which is due to open in December.

The travellers, who arrived in the town yesterday and set up camp on the car park, were expected to be moving on later on today but they remained in position as the work began.

Workers said they had been told to carry on with the construction and were working to minimise disruption.

One worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "One of the caravans has moved overnight from when we were doing the preparation yesterday which has allowed us to come in and start work.

"There are a few cars which were left in the car park overnight which are close to being in the way, but we are working around them too."

Powys County Council sent officers to the site yesterday to discuss the matter and it was hoped the travellers would have left the car park by the time workmen arrived this morning.

But about eight caravans remained parked in the car park this morning.

Robert Robinson, town clerk, said the work was due to finish — and the one-way system would be open — on December 5.