Road may reopen to help traders

A street which closed when a new superstore opened could reopen after nearby traders said the closure was affecting their businesses.

Croft Road in Coventry closed two years ago as part of a scheme designed to deal with extra traffic when Ikea opened its doors.

Since then, businesses in Greyfriars Walk have told the council they are struggling due to lack of trade.

The council is to review the situation and said it has other plans to help.

Gary Ridley, head of city development for the council, said the road was closed as part of a traffic management plan.

"We have had some traders, particularly from Greyfriars Walk, coming forward and telling us how much they are strugguling in this difficult economic time so we want to do something to help them," he said.

The traders have said people are finding it difficult to get to car parks since the road closed, he added.

"If the road opens we will start to see some life return to part of the city centre," he said.

Other ideas involve opening empty shops up to community groups, he said.