Road collapse hits traders

A large part of the road collapsed on Friday

Traders say business has been decimated by a giant hole in the main road through a west Wales village.

Some estimate they are losing £150 worth of custom a day as motorists are diverted to alternative routes around Pencader.

A large section of the highway in the village between Carmarthen and Lampeter collapsed on Friday.

Carmarthenshire council officers say it will take at least a couple of weeks before it can reopen.

At least with a snowstorm you know it will end in a month Businessman Lynn Evans

Tegwen Evans, who runs the main village shop, said: "It's made a lot of difference to us as it is very quiet here now.

"We are down about £150 a day and at the end of the week it's a lot of money as we still have to pay the staff.

"The chip shop down the road is suffering a lot and they are not happy about it all and are thinking of shutting even during the day."

Building work was taking place on a retaining wall on the road, the B4459, when it collapsed.

Shopkeeper Tegwen Evans says trade has been badly hit

Lynn Evans, who runs a caravan business in Pencader, said: "We've got a workshop just the other side of where this large hole is so now have to go seven miles to go to it everyday and it's not just once a day but several times a day.

"It takes about an hour each time instead of being 10 minutes across the road.

"We phoned the council and asked them for a sign at the top of the road to let people know Pencader is still open to the public.

"I would like to know what's going on and how long it is going to take.

"I have never seen it so quiet.

"It's as if there was a snowstorm but at least with a snowstorm you know it will end in a month but we don't know how long this will last."

Work is underway to repair the highway

Drivers are being directed via Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, Gwyddgrug and New Inn.

Phil Williams, Carmarthenshire council's head of street scenes, said: "We have had to close part of the road and works are now underway to repair it.

"It was an emergency closure and diversions have been put in place.

"We apologise to motorists for any inconvenience and we aim to reopen the road as quickly as possible."