A new round of road closures started in Ledbury on Monday, while major water-mains work is carried out.
Top Cross, a key junction for traffic coming into Ledbury, will be closed for the rest of the month. The work is expected to last for four weeks, with two teams working longer than usual and at weekends to try to minimise disruption.
Town traders reported a serious fall in their takings during work on water mains in Ledbury at this time last year, and were particularly critical of the signs for diversion routes. This year, they say, Welsh Water has done its best to minimise problems, and there had been a great spirit of co-operation between the water company and traders.
Welsh Water spokesman Peter Childs said the work was essential, but the company understood the concerns of traders and residents and would make every effort to complete this work as quickly as possible.
Mrs Annette Crowe, who runs a jewellery store in the Homend, said this time last year there had been problems. “There was a lot of negative attitude around. It was putting people off coming into Ledbury. This time there has been a great spirit of co-operation between Welsh Water and the traders. All the workers have been so polite and helped out traders when they have had deliveries coming. We wanted the road signs to be clear and positive, so we have had some impact there. They have listened to everything we have had to say on the subject.”
Diversions mean traffic from Malvern joining the A4103 will head west as far as Newtown crossroads, turn left on to the A417 until it reaches Trumpet crossroads, then turn left on to the A38 to reach Ledbury. To get to the Homend, traffic must then follow the A417 Leadon Way towards the Southend (A449).
Heavy goods vehicles ignoring the signs warning of a diversion along the A449 Worcester Road will have to turn around at the junction of the A438 Eastnor Road. There will be a three-way traffic-light system there to ease congestion caused by lorries turning.
There is an alternative route for vehicles coming from Malvern. Leaving the Worcester Road at Cut Throat Lane, they can join a one-way system along Knapp Lane to reach the Homend.
Traffic will flow in both directions along the Homend, and vehicles wanting to exit the route will be directed along another one-way system up Bank Crescent before joining Knapp Lane again.
Parking will therefore be restricted to one side of the road along Bank Crescent. Welsh Water says this alternative route will be closed, except for emergency traffic and residents, if it becomes congested, and is advising people to use the official diversion.
