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Signs warning motorists of delays are stopping shoppers going to Marlborough

TRADERS fear Marlborough will lose business permanently because it's been hit by a roadworks triple whammy.

The worst problems have been caused by work around the intersection of London Road, Salisbury Road and George Lane where county council contractors are installing pedestrian crossing points.

Even by not starting the work until after peak rush hour traffic has quelled, the road works have again been causing huge tailbacks in the town this week.

Yesterday traffic heading into the town from the Swindon direction mid morning had to queue from the golf club, and traffic coming from the south down Postern Hill started backing up by the new business park.

But traders are also concerned that signs have been put up on all the main roads to Marlborough, as far away as Beckhampton on the Bath road, advising motorists to avoid the town during the road works.

Ongoing work on the new entrance to St John's School on the Pewsey road with more traffic lights has added to the delays.

Even the Polly Tea Rooms in the High Street is expecting to feel the crunch as road works deter people from going into the town.

Partner Sir Brian Mussell said: "This week we have been fortunate to have the school children on holiday so that has been a bit of a back up. It's next week that we will really notice a different we fear."

Bob Holman, who runs the Food Gallery delicatessen, said there had been a noticeable downturn in trade.

"It has been a bit quieter although nothing outrageous but it is the long term effect that worries us," said Mr Holman.

"The big problem is that as people hear about the road works and all the delays they will not come here anyway."

Chamber of Commerce president Peter Davison said traders were worried that if customers stopped coming to Marlborough it could be a long time before they came back.

He said: "The message that is going out at the moment seems to be Stay away from Marlborough' and that is just what we don't want to hear.

"We want the message to be that, despite the road works, all the shops, restaurants and other businesses in the town are still open.

"We cannot afford as a town for people to find alternative places to do their shopping and carry out their business."

A Wiltshire County Council spokesman said the scheme to provide pedestrian crossing points resulted from a major consultation with people who walk through the town including the schools.

9:52am Thursday 27th March 2008

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