Businesses is Oswestry have suffered because of the long-running roadworks on the A483.

Ian Follington, the chairman of the recently-launched Business Improvement District (BID), says the work to make the Maesbury junction safer has been bad news for traders.

He says shoppers have been staying away from the industrial estate because of the road chaos, especially at peak times.

And he said he was disappointed the work was planned without any consultation with Oswestry business leaders to try to minimise the impact of the road closures.

Mr Follington said: "The road closures have had a major impact on businesses on the industrial estate.

"Getting in and out of the estate has been dreadful – what customers would want to go through that? They're finding other places to get what they want and are steering clear of the businesses there. people can't get in and they can't get out.

"We were disappointed because the work started with no consultation with anyone, with no thought how best to minimise the impact on local businesses. It's not on.

"It can't be allowed to happen again. Now the BID is up and running, and that we are representing 300 businesses, I would hope we would be involved in discussions in the future.

"When the work is being planned for the Mile End roundabout, I would expect BID to be involved in the discussions to minimise the impact on businesses in the town."

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council's portfolio holder for transport, said he sympathised with businesses on the industrial estate.

"I have been speaking to them too – they have suffered quite badly," he said.

"I know of some businesses which have staggered the times their staff start work and what times they finish, so they can get through the queues easier.

"The work has been carried out by Highways England and I couldn't have stopped it even if I had wanted to, but let's face it – the work had to be done.

"It was a dangerous junction and people were being killed there – it had to be sorted.

"I appreciate there is a lot of pain now, but there will be a lot of long-term gain. The traffic lights going in are smart lights and will change on demand, so there should be a lot less congestion there.

"It's an awkward situation as I'm not sure what steps could have been taken to minimise the disruption. At one stage we did try traffic lights to see if they would help while the roadworks were going on, but they didn't help things. And it's major work so it couldn't have been during the night, for example.

"All I can say is that when the work is finished –the the crews are working at pace – the junction will be a lot better for everyone.

"I can say, though, that work will not start at Mile End until the Maesbury junction is finished. And when we know when the work will start, I will liaise with Mr Follington and the BID to ensure they are kept informed. I, too, hope we can keep disruption to the town to an absolute minimum."