A SCAFFOLDING tunnel will be put up to protect pedestrians in an Old Town walkway.

Work is to start soon on the walkway connecting Wood Street and Joiner Lane.

While the basement structural work is carried out on 19-21 Wood Street, a scaffolding tunnel will be erected to allow pedestrians to continue through in to Godwin Court and the Britannia Place car park.

Godwin Court businesses last week feared that the plan to close the alleyway for repairs would hit their trade.

The council has granted permission for the building's owner to close the alleyway from the middle of this month to June 18 and again from July 3 to November 14.

Flames and Frames co-owner Mark Annetts said that his shop had lost business during the two closures last year and feared the same would happen again. "Over the past 12 months we have had two closures and it does severely affect trade," Mr Annetts said.

"If they do close it off they should put signposts up with alternative routes.

"If they have adequate signs, people won't just turn around and not come in."

Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) said that he and council officers would meet to discuss possible ways of keeping the alleyway open during the basement repairs.

"The reason it's being done is a structural problem that needs to be put right," said Coun Bawden, pictured.

The alleyway closed for six weeks last April and May to allow contractors to carry out work.

It also closed in October 2004 for a month for council maintenance.

Some businesses said in 2003 that they had experienced a drop in takings when it came to the closure because many customers were not willing to take an indirect route.