TRADERS in Yatton say they are thrilled that business is back on track after lengthy road closures were ‘killing’ profits.

Concerned owners of village shops, particularly in the Pages Court precinct and High Street, saw trade take a turn for the worse since Wales & West Utilities began digging up the road between Well Lane and Myrtle Grove as part of a �300,000 gas work project.

The busy stretch was closed for a month and caused so much havoc that profits were down in most shops and one confused motorist was even spotted driving along the pavement in an attempt to get through the cordoned off road.

Mark Loader, who co-owns Loaders hardware store in High Street, said: “Business is great thanks to the end of the road closure. Temporary traffic lights we can handle but the road closure was killing trade.

“We are glad it reopened in time for bonfire night as fireworks are usually a big part of our sales at this time of year.

“If the road was still closed people wouldn’t have spotted the firework banner we have and we would have lost out on a lot of money.”

Paul Wilmott, manager of Wilmott Mobility in the precinct, said he too was pleased as his business is back on track.

Owner of Yatton newsagents and Cork and Fork, an off-licence and family-run farm shop in the heart of Yatton, Clive Mortimer, said things are returning to normal for the High Street business after the setbacks.

Clive, who stocks an array of local produce including cider and cheese, said: “The road closure did not help a lot of traders but we are getting back to business and back to normality.

“It’s now about putting ourselves back on the map and letting everyone know that we are here, we are open and the road is no longer closed.”

The utilities giant said the replacement of about 2,500m of gas mains was essential and will bring improved safety and security of gas supply to the area.

Two-way traffic lights will soon be put in place while further roadworks continue, with a finishing date pencilled in for December.