TRADERS on a town centre street have claimed road changes have confused shoppers and called on Swindon Council to point them in the right direction.

Business owners in Fleet Street and Faringdon Road have reported a drop in custom since work was completed on the Whalebridge junction in December.

They have met representatives from economic development company Forward Swindon to discuss the need for more signs for the shops.

Following a meeting with the council, signs have been put up in Manchester Road, County Road and Queens Drive, with more to follow in the coming weeks, in response to traders’ concerns.

The roundabout and four subways, next to Jurys Inn, in Fleming Way, were filled in and replaced with a £4m plaza and a network of one-way routes and bus lanes as part of the Union Square regeneration.

It is not the first time the scheme has come under fire, with cabbies and motorists previously railing against it.

Dave Hudson, owner of Golf-Fore-All, in Fleet Street, said: “It is definitely affecting trade. There is less footfall and no cars coming this far down. I would say I was 40 per cent down in February.

“I know that’s not just down to the road, but every retailer is down.

“No-one comes past the Magic Roundabout and people coming in from out of town have no chance. They have not put signs up to show how to get to the shops, just Fleming Way car park.”

Spot-on Models and Games boss Chris Hext said even his regulars had trouble getting to the store.

He said: “People think they cannot get down here and it has cut us off. I just want to see signs to let people know there are shops down here.”

Gary Watts, owner of Bridal Boutique, and Sheila Peaple, who owns Sugar Celebrations, both on Faringdon Road, echoed the call for more signposts.

A spokesman for the council said: “We are aware of the traders’ concerns, and in the last week or so a number of new advanced signs have been put up, which we hope will help the situation. It is too early to know what effect they will have, but we are monitoring this closely.”