New hope in row over A490 road closure disruption
A deal could be struck to limit the disruption caused by the daytime closure of three miles of a busy A-road.
Talks over the proposed closure of the A490 on the Shropshire/Mid Wales border have been "constructive", according to a councillor.
Shropshire councillor Heather Kidd said she hoped a compromise could be reached ahead of the start of resurfacing work on the stretch between Chirbury and Churchstoke next week.
Shropshire Council intends to close the road between 9am and 3pm every day for two and a half months.
But about 800 people have signed a petition opposing the plan, and businesses have previously claimed they were not consulted on the scale of the disruption and could be forced to lay off staff.
Councillor Kidd said the 10-week closure was still under discussion but talks with highways officers had been constructive.
She said: "I am hoping we might now find a way to keep our shop and pub thriving.
"The Priest Weston road will keep its access to the village. I will also have an input into the signage, make it clear that the village is open, the road the Shrewsbury is open and so on. More to come on Wednesday, I hope."
At the moment a signed diversion is planned to be in place from 9am to 3pm, and outside of those hours a "stop and go" system will manage traffic along the road.
Those protesting against the closure include Julie and Martin Luck, who run the Herbert Arms pub, and Barbara Morris at Chirbury Post Office and Stores.
Both businesses have said they will be hit hard as they cannot survive on custom from the village alone, but rely on passing trade on the main route which runs from Churchstoke to Welshpool, passing through south west Shropshire on the way.
Mrs Morris said it may even mark the end of her business and will certainly meaning laying off staff if it goes ahead.
She said: "It's one of the main roads going through to Welshpool used by people from as far as Ludlow, and a lot of them stop and have a sandwich here."
Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, previously said residents and businesses along the closed stretch will still have access, as will pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, emergency service vehicles and bin lorries.
He said it was important work that would lead to "significant improvements for residents, businesses and road users".
