TRADERS in Ledbury are bracing themselves for trying times ahead, as plans are announced for the day and night closure of the Homend, the top section of Bye Street and the High Street, so road surface repairs can happen.

Leaflets giving details of the works have been dropped off at local shops and the Ledbury Traders' Association held a meeting last week, to discuss the implications of the closures, which will take place between June 5 and June 9.

Cllr Annette Crowe, a Homend trader and a member of the Traders' Association had previously compared the state of the Homend's road surface to a farm track, and she said this week that the repairs were "essential".

But she added: "We do wish this had happened in our quiet period, which is January and February; but is it essential work that needs to be done."

Traders were concerned over reports that Ledbury's town centre car parks would be closed day and night; but Cllr Crowe said she was relieved that the car park closures would now only take place at night.

She added: "If they had closed the car parks during the day, we would have closed our shops for the duration."

But Cllr Crowe is worried that Ledbury's side roads could see excessive parking, because residents who usually park overnight on the town centre car parks will not be able to do so.

Cllr Crowe was also critical of original signage by Orchard Lane, which stated the road closures will take place from June 7 and not from June 5, which is the correct date.

She said at the time: "I think that Herefordshire Council's contractor, Balfour Beatty, could have done better informing residents and traders. The sign at Orchard Lane has wrong information and it needs to be rectified."

New signage has since been installed this week, giving the correct start date, but stating the closure will be just for three days and not the five officially announced by Herefordshire Council.

Although the town centre will be closed, the car parks will be open in the day and pedestrians will be able to use special staffed crossing points and fenced off areas to access shops, so that trade is not unduly affected.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “Herefordshire Council, working in partnership with Balfour Beatty Living Places, can confirm that 24 hour road closures will take place during the resurfacing of The Homend, High Street and Bye Street in Ledbury. This will enable works to be completed efficiently and on schedule.

“Town centre car parks will also be closed overnight from 6pm daily from June 5 to June 9, to allow for resurfacing on a section of Bye Street.

“Herefordshire Council, working in partnership with Balfour Beatty Living Places, are committed to minimising disruption to Ledbury traders, residents and visitors and have implemented a perimeter to ensure businesses can operate as usual. Extra staff will also be employed to allow for safe pedestrian access where appropriate.”