WHILE drivers have felt the full brunt of one of Bradford’s busiest roads being closed, traders in the town have said businesses are open as usual.

Market Street closed on Monday for three weeks for urgent repairs to strengthen the foundations of a retaining wall.

As a result, motorists have faced heavy delays as cars bypass Bradford through Staverton on route to Trowbridge.

James Sullivan-Tailyour, who owns the Swan Hotel in the town, said while trade had dipped slightly as a result, he will be taking full advantage of the road being closed.

He has a number of events lined up, including a pumpkin trail from October 21-30.

“The road seems to be coping really well,” he said.

“I think people have been encouraged to stay away but from my point of view, when I look outside, the road seems to be coping and traffic is flowing through.

“It is time people saw the closure as a chance for the area to be pedestrianised. In theory, Bradford on Avon is a lovely place for pedestrians. The closure has meant that we are able to show how great it really is.”

There are plans for the town council to lay AstroTurf in Market Street in the hope that people can make use of the space and put on weekend and evening events.

To help ease congestion, development works on the Holt Road have been suspended.

Bobby Morady, who runs The Tea Pot café, has found that business has remained steady despite the closure, as people are visiting the town on foot.

He said: “We are still getting a lot of tourists and it is not as bad as people think. I don’t know how it is going to be for the rest of the time but it is not much of an issue at the moment.”

The town bridge also needs urgent repairs after a stolen car ploughed into it on October 3 causing part of the parapet to fall into the river.

Work is expected to start on October 24 and will take two weeks. Two-way lights will be in operation as workers will be repairing the stones from the roadside. During peak times, the lights will be controlled manually to ease congestion.

Wiltshire Council said: “Having such works in close proximity is something that we aim to avoid, but due to the urgent and safety related nature of the works being carried out it is unavoidable in this instance.

“We understand that these works will be disruptive, but will be working with various stakeholders to ensure that traffic that usually passes through Bradford considers taking an alternative route, whilst making sure that visitors to the town know that business is open as usual.”