LEDBURY traders say major resurfacing work this week in the town centre has had a deadening effect on business, and the diversion signage has only made things worse.

They are concerned that the signage put in place by Herefordshire Council's contractor, Balfour Beatty, has been sending visitors on loops around the town, rather than to the town centre car parks, which remain open but little used.

But Herefordshire Council has insisted there is nothing wrong with the signage.

Kelly Pearson, office manager at Ceci Paolo food and lifestyle emporium in the High Street said: "One of our customers did a loop of Ledbury three times because the diversions signs didn't make sense."

She added: "It's been pretty quiet, with not many people around, and the signage did not help."

The car parks off Bye Street remained open, but there were signs saying Bye Street was closed, which meant that some motorists diverted to Ledbury bypass were still failing to take the essential turn for the town centre car parks.

Cllr Martin Eager, owner of the Homend Mews said of of the roadworks this week: "It's killed trade. Everyone I've spoken to in the Mall has said how quiet it is. It's been two or three days of them twiddling their fingers, I'm afraid.

"But the road work has to be done, and there is not a good or bad time to do it."

John Nash of John Nash Antiques and Interiors in the High Street said the effect on local trade generally had been "pretty bad" and he was also critical of the diversion signage.

Mr Nash said: "We do a lot of our business with people who make appointments, and we have not been making those appointments.

"The signage just sends people in a circle around the town and there's no indication that the car parks are open. Hopefully it's coming to an end. The signage could have been done much better."

Cllr Annette Crowe, owner of Past and Present jewellery shop in the Homend said: "The car parks are basically empty."

But she said that business had been good, because of support from local people, who were walking into the town centre.

She said: "We have been busier on days when we would not normally have been that busy. For us, it's been better than expected."

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said: "Appropriate signage is in place to inform and guide residents at all times, including information on suitable diversion routes and car park access.”

Herefordshire Council also planned to reopen the affected roads "in time for the General Election on Thursday, with any outstanding work being completed on Friday".

This means the work should be completed and the roads re-opened in time for Ledbury's Community Day, on Saturday (June 10).