Traders fear A39 closure will hit summer business

Cornwall Council has closed the A39 for safety reasons

Businesses in a Cornwall town who say they are losing trade with the closure of the main road because of a dangerous building fear they will also miss summer holiday trade.

Diversions are in place in Camelford, taking vehicles through nearby Slaughterbridge, after the A39 Fore Street was closed in June because of structural concerns about the building,

Staff at the Post Office and Hardware Store in Market Place said they had already lost 25% of business, adding they feared it would be after August before the road reopened.

Cornwall Council said the road would remain closed until it was satisfied the property was safe and there was no risk to the public.

Trader Simon Final says he has not seen any tourists since the road has been closed

Simon Final, from the hardware store, said trade dropped off as soon as the road closed.

He said: "We're down at least 25% on what it was.

"We should be taking more now, given that it is holiday season."

He added that he was originally told the road would reopen at the end of August but had since heard from other people it could be longer, possibly October.

He said: "We are dubious as to whether the end of August will be the case.

"And signage isn't helping. They've put signs in saying to follow the access route and there's no access route, which sends people out on the diversion."

Will and Sarah Kestle, who run a garden machinery store, said they felt neglected by the council.

They said: "Would they get away with it anywhere else? I feel like in a bigger town they probably wouldn't.

"There are only three A roads in Cornwall and this is one of them."

Building Control has to approve plans before work on the building can start

Mayor of Camelford Rob Rotchell said residents had been asking the town council what it was doing about it.

He said: "We are in a bit of a vacuum really because the decision-makers are Cornwall Council and [Cornwall] Highways, not the town council.

"We had nothing official from Cornwall Council or Highways for over a week.

The new Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, Ben Maguire, said he was urging Cornwall Council to get the A39 re-opened as quickly as possible.

He added he was also inviting new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to visit to discuss proposals for a bypass.

Council leader Linda Taylor told the BBC the owner was responsible for the repairs but that an officer would be contacting the town mayor to discuss options to alleviate the issues.

She said: "The owner of that dangerous building is responsible for making the building safe.

"However, the council is definitely in touch with that property owner and they're looking at options to ensure the work is completed."