CITY centre traders have criticised the ongoing works in Widemarsh Street, which they say are affecting business.

The street in Hereford has been closed to through traffic since the end of June and a temporary traffic regulation order was made for a minimum of five weeks.

But Herefordshire Council said the road will be closed until the end of November after remedial works continued until the end of August.

Work has now started on remodelling the High Street from outside All Saints Church and round to the top of Widemarsh Street.

Manager Andrew Jones at Neil Powell Butchers said the restrictions on cars coming through the street has really affected their trade.

He said: "They have been stopping people who want to stop outside for no longer than five minutes to pick up their meat. We are losing trade because of it."

The works have created narrow footpaths, particularly at the corner by HSBC bank.

Rose Hammond, assistant manager at Robin Elt Shoes, said: "It has been affecting us badly at the moment. It wasn't as bad until they moved it over to this side. People are following the walk way and we are getting missed out."

Emma Almond, manager at Grape Tree, said they had been well-informed about the works and knew they had to be done. But she said when the works were right in front of their shop business was very quiet.

She said: "I think they have had rain and they were waiting for equipment. We did see them [workmen] standing around a lot but as soon as they got the materials they got going. It is not their fault."

The work is part of a multiphase revamp- High Town will be repaved next year and Commercial Street the following year.

Repaving in High Town was only carried out eight years ago, but planners say that the latest work will be to a higher quality and standard and will make Hereford a more attractive place.

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said: "The initial investigation and remedial works were completed in August.

"These works involved repairs to some damaged drain runs and investigation of the existing carriageway subbase to confirm the depth of construction for the refurbishment works.

"The refurbishment works commenced immediately once the investigation works were completed and is ongoing to programme and is scheduled to be complete by the end of November."

The through road will reopen in November but the current temporary traffic order will be made permanent, which will mean no cars will be able to park on Widemarsh Street, although there are some exceptions for loading and for taxis in the evening.