CONCERNED traders fear they could lose out if proposals to close a road through Verwood are given the go-ahead.

The 2002 East Dorset Local Plan included a proposal to close the top section of Manor Road upon the opening of the Verwood distributor road, but traders gathered at a recent action group said that would see traffic directed away from their businesses.

Verwood Mayor Lyndsey Dedden said: "There is concern from traders that if the road closes they'll lose out. The town council has invited the highways and transportation officer of Dorset County Council to a special meeting on Monday evening to present their proposals so that we can comment.

"The town council is concerned that proposals which were made for Verwood years ago may not be suitable now.

"The original plan was that when the new distributor road opened there would be various road closures to divert traffic away from the centre of Verwood and make it easier for people to get around on foot.

"But traders fear that could mean parts of the town will be avoided by shoppers."

More than 30 residents, businesses and town councillors attended the recent Verwood Local Action Group meeting when the matter was discussed.

The majority of traders opposed to the road closure are those in Vicarage Road and, although they expressed concern at not having been fully consulted, East Dorset District Council said the road closure is simply a proposal from Dorset County Council at present and has not yet reached the stage of public consultation.

The long-awaited distributor road opened last month and aims to cut congestion in the town centre and reduce accidents at the crossroads of the B3081 Ringwood to Shaftesbury road and the B3072 West Moors to Alderholt Road.

First published: November 12