'Nightmare' roadworks causing hour-long delays

Wales & West Utilities said the work is on-track to finish before Christmas

Roadworks reportedly causing daily hour-long delays have been called a "nightmare" by business owners and residents.

The gas works by Wales & West Utilities (WWU) on the A429 in Stow-on-the-Wold, in the Cotswolds, are due to finish before Christmas.

But shop owners said the works are deterring customers from visiting the Gloucestershire village during what should be one of their busiest times of year.

A WWU spokesperson apologised for the disruption, adding that the "significant investment" would boost local infrastructure to keep gas flowing.

Boni Web, owner of Stow Country Clothing, said the work had reduced footfall "massively" and it can take her "an hour to complete what should be a seven-minute journey".

She added: "It's really unbelievable how it's hit us. Sometimes the square is empty - which for November [the] pre-Christmas [period], we should be very busy."

Robert Gleed, who lives near Stow-on-the-Wold, said it is "an absolute nightmare for everybody who lives in the town, works in the town, going through the town, or going anywhere else".

Butcher Mark Jones said he has fewer customers and those that do come in complain about delays

Mark Jones, Lambournes Butcher, said he has had less customers, with those that do come in complaining of being stuck in traffic for up to an hour.

"Customers are staying away. We have got a few customers that are willing for us to deliver, but then that's costing us petrol money and staff leaving the premises," he added.

Nicola Taylor, planner for Stow-on-the-Wold at Wales & West Utilities, apologised for the disruption.

"While we are doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum, we would still ask that drivers leave more time to travel and use alternative routes if at all possible," she said.

The company worked with Gloucestershire County Council to plan the project, Ms Taylor added.

The council has been approached for comment.