BUSINESS owners in Newport's Bridge Street have said the road closure due to major railway line works is a "nightmare" for trade.

Several businesses have said the closure is already affecting them just three weeks in with some arranging deals to get customers into their shops and restaurants.

Bridge Street has been closed since May 3 due to electrification work to the railway lines and to demolish and rebuild the railway bridge.

Diversions are in place for the traffic and the footpath is open but business owners have said they are losing money due to the work.

Erdogan Bulut, of take-away La Pizzeria, has said the works have affected delivery times.

“It takes ages to send the drivers anywhere. Sometimes delivery takes 45 or 50 minutes, when normally it takes 10 or 15, a maximum of 20 minutes.

“Before 7pm it’s a nightmare. We’re a bit quieter, for now.

“The street is dead, because nobody is there. I’m trying to start a collection option to get the customers in.”

Pasquale Cinotti, one of the owners of Italian restaurant Gemelli, has said they have closed the Bridge Street restaurant while the works take place, and are focussing on their Spytty business.

He said: “It is a struggle as customers can’t come to the other place [restaurant]."

But Mr Cinotti has said that he is trying to think positively.

He said: “It is not good for me, complaining.

“If this can help Newport get better than why not, even if I have to suffer with my business.”

The owner of Short Bark & Sides, Caitlin Durham, previously told the Argus that Network Rail had come to speak to her about relocating her business.

However she has said she has decided against this, even though the works are affecting her grooming studio.

She said: “I’m practically working on a building site, its loud which affects the dogs and it’s had an effect on passing trade.

“There’s been a decline in customers and people walking past, but I don’t want to relocate. I’d have to start again with a smaller customer base, and I love where I am."

The works on the Bridge Street Bridge are said to last for seven months and will be completed later this year.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “The reconstruction of the bridge is essential as we prepare the South Wales Mainline for electrification.

“Electrification will bring faster, greener journeys to Newport as well as helping to boost the local economy.

"We do understand that this work is disruptive and we have worked closely with Newport Council to put diversionary routes, for both vehicles and pedestrians, in place.

“We would like to thank the local community for their patience while we carry out this essential work.”