Closure of street adds to Welshpool's traffic woes

A main road in Welshpool was closed off for essential gas works today, leaving motorists facing the prospect of more traffic misery in the town.

Church Street was due to be off-limits until Thursday to allow workmen to complete work holding up the opening of the town's one-way system.

The system was due to open today - but that has now been put back until January 12, with bus routing problems also needing to be solved.

Robert Robinson, town clerk, said: "It was believed the gas main pipe ran under the pavement. But it has now been found to be in the middle of the road requiring it to be closed on December 6, 7 and 8.

"Also, bus route notices which I asked for about five weeks ago have only just gone up and have a 10-week notice period.

"I have also had to sort out provisions for heavy lorries, and for coaches which use the area by the tourist information centre."

Mr Robinson said the new system would now open on January 12 and the Tesco store - creating 200 jobs - would open in February.

Mr Robinson added: "The closure came into force at 10.30am and traffic lights are being put up in Brook Street to help cope with the change in traffic.

"I hope it will only last until Thursday, but there is a slight possibility it could overrun.

"Then we can finally get on and open the one-way system in the New Year."

Mark Wilkerson, a motorist affected by the closure, said: "It is not the ideal time of the year to close a main road through the town when it is busier anyway because of the Christmas shoppers, but hopefully when it is all done and the one-way system is working it will be worth it."