Business owners in Ystrad Mynach have urged customers to remember they are still open, after reporting a slump in trade brought on by roadworks.
The work on the intersection between Penallta Road, Commercial Street, and Bedwlwyn Road began on Monday, February 11 and is expected to take ten weeks.
The work, carried out by Caerphilly County Borough Council, will see repairs to Penallta Road’s culvert deck – the structure that allows water to flow underneath the road.
But businesses say they have been affected by the disruption.
Haroun Vaughan, owner of New Ystrad Fish Bar said: “We’re down to about 45% of our normal business.
“Car parking has become a real problem. We know the work has to be done, but the other day lorries with stock couldn’t get here.”
Mr Vaughan added: “We’re most affected during the day time. We’re not seeing many people from the village come in.
“I think we’ve been affected more because it’s the start of the works. At the moment it’s hard to judge how many customers we will have and how many chips to put into the oven for example.
“But we’re still open all day as normal and still welcome our customers here.”
Gerard Lewis, manager of Ashburne Fabric Care on Penallta Road told Caerphilly Observer: “There’s been a massive difference in people coming into the shop. Footfall is almost non-existent.
“If the council are telling us the work has to be done then it has to be done, but I don’t think this is a sensible time of year to do the work.”
Mr Lewis added: “It’s difficult for our customers, who often have to carry heavy laundry items to bring here.
“We are still here for business and want to assist customers in any way they need it. We will extend collection of dry cleaning to anyone who needs it.”
Collette Clarke, supervisor at the Spar store on Penallta Road, said: “During the first four days of the roadworks we lost £2,800 on the previous week’s figures.
“It’s deadly quiet in the morning and at night. The work has got to be done, but I feel sorry for the smaller businesses.
“Everybody is saying how quiet it is in town.”
Shahab Ehsan, owner of Marmaris Barbershop, said: “We’ve noticed a big impact on business. We’ve been very badly affected.”
Jo Howells, manager of the St David’s charity shop, said: “It’s quiet in town but the work has to be done, so they should crack on.
“If it takes a few weeks then so be it. People will be complaining a lot more if there was a collapse in the road when there was traffic on it.
“There’s been a big decrease in footfall but that’s to be expected.”
The works will mainly be funded by the Welsh Government and in part by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
A council spokeswoman said: “These essential works are needed to replace and repair the culvert beneath Penallta Road in Ystrad Mynach in order to ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians. While a small section of the road will remain closed for the duration, Ystrad Mynach remains very much open for business as usual. Pedestrian access is being maintained to all commercial and residential properties throughout.
“The essential temporary road closure is in place along a small section of road starting at Penallta Road and ending at the intersection of Penallta Road, Bedwyllyn Road and Commercial Street to ensure that works are completed as safely and quickly as possible.
“To accommodate local residents and businesses, the unaffected length of Penallta Road remains open and has been temporarily converted to allow for two way traffic flow with an area designated for cars to turn around and exit. Commercial Street has been temporarily converted to a one way traffic system from the Pierhead buildings to the Royal Oak roundabout.”