Sedgley traders welcome end of gas main work

Roadworks which hit a Dudley high street were due to finish today.

The six-week gas main replacement scheme created a "ghost town" in Sedgley, say town centre businesses.

Workers were due to leave on schedule by 6pm today.

Jams saw people avoid the high street, say traders who hope shoppers will return and profits pick up.

Pat Smith, a partner in the BD Price Bike Shop, High Holborn, said trade dropped by about 30 per cent during work. She said: "We are very relieved that they are finishing."

The £1 million works forced the closure of sections of Sedgley High Street at its junction with Bilston Street.

Allan Evans, director of Gould's Electrical, Bilston Street, said business in August was down 20 per cent.

He added: "We just want to get back to normal now."

Jane Taylor, of National Grid said: "It was timed to be carried out during the school summer holidays to reduce the effect on traffic."

She added the work was "essential" to replace the outdated gas mains and was "a short term inconvenience for a long term benefit."