Tetbury Faces 50-Mile Diversion as Silver Street Closes
Traders in the Cotswold market town of Tetbury have described a 50-mile diversion for motorists as “madness” after Silver Street, one of the main entrances into the town, closed on Monday 26 October. The closure runs from Gumstool Hill to the Green, and traders have been told the road will not reopen until 18 November.
For drivers coming from neighbouring Malmesbury, the signed diversion to reach Tetbury's main street runs to about 50 miles. Tetbury is home to King Charles' Highgrove House, and the closure falls in the run-up to Christmas trading, the period local shops rely on most.
Traders fear for Christmas trade
Jackie Stead, manager at French Grey, an independently-owned homeware and gifts store in the town, said the closure seems like “madness” and “very shortsighted” of the council to close the road at this time of year. She said traders “hope and pray” the closure is postponed or altered, adding: “It's very concerning considering this is our lead up to Christmas.”
What the council says
Councillor Mark Harris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said the council understands the concerns raised by residents, businesses and other organisations in Tetbury about the impact the closure could have.
He said the closure is required to allow private building works and scaffolding on properties to be carried out safely. The council is arranging a site meeting early next week to look again at whether the working area can be reduced sufficiently to allow the road to reopen under temporary traffic lights for some of the remaining work.
“Safety has to be our priority, but we recognise the disruption this closure could cause and will continue to work with the contractor to see whether its impact can be reduced,” he said.
