Road opening 'like Christmas' for local business

Tom Howell said being able to reopen Prime Fry was "wonderful"

The owner of a local business forced to close by roadworks said reopening has felt "like Christmas and a birthday all put together".

Tom Howell said Prime Fry closed two weeks early for their summer holiday because of lost trade during road closures at Trinity Road junction which he said had made it too expensive to stay open.

The government said the works, which began on 5 August, had been extended as holes were discovered beneath the road during resurfacing.

Mr Howell said the roadworks "completely demolished" his shop's trade, as well as the launderette and Chinese takeaway next door.

The roadworks were delayed because holes were discovered under the road

Mr Howell said: "We've been closed for the last nearly four weeks because of the roadworks and finally today they're opening so we're just so pleased.

"It's like Christmas and a birthday all put together, it really is wonderful."

The road reopened on 9 September after some "technically challenging" works, said the government's Infrastructure department.

The roadworks were planned to happen during the school holidays, originally due to open on Monday 1 September.