THE mayor of Holsworthy has asked for Devon County Council to supply some signage to help the town reassure visitors that it is still ‘open for business’ during scheduled roadworks.

Cllr Jon Hutchings’ comments come after frustration was expressed by residents in the town about the management of an emergency road closure on Chapel Street in the town.

It has had to be closed to enable repairs to take place to fix a broken sewer.

However, the mayor has said that the road closed signage, on one of the town’s main thoroughfares may suggest that the ‘town’ is closed, when it is not, adding that the reason that the diversion takes people around the town is due to a closure of an ‘A’ road requiring a diversion on one of a similar classification.

With the diversion taking people around the town, the mayor stated that signage stating the town was open for business as usual would be useful in the event of a similar closure in the future.

Cllr Jon Hutchings said: “There have been complaints and comments about the road closure in place. The closure is for an emergency sewerage breakage.

“Whilst I appreciate diversions need to be in place i have complained to our Devon County Council Neighbourhood Highway Officer that the Road closed signs suggest the town is closed.

“An 'A' road closure must have an 'A' road diversion. Anyone who is not local will use the diversion and divert around the town. Anyone who knows Holsworthy know you can go around Bodmin street and Underlane, but the signs suggest you cannot.

“I have asked for extra signage for any scheduled road closures in the future stating the 'Town is open for business as usual'. If possible for the Town Council to hold some signage we can use even for an emergency closures.”