FEARS roadworks scheduled in the run-up to Christmas would be devastating for businesses has led to them being paused.

A schedule of road closures in Moreton-in-Marsh planned by National Grid to install new electrical cabling has been altered after meetings between Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council, Gloucestershire County Council, developer Spitfire Homes and traders in the town.

Sue Lawson, manager of High Street venue DI Cafe, said: "It was really pleasing to see that all the key players involved were able to work together to find a solution.

"It was a collaborative effort."

The planned works, which will help power Spitfire Homes' new housing development on Fosse Way in Moreton, were originally scheduled to take place continuously from September until December with closures affecting access to High Street and nearby roads.

However, the changes mean that all road closures which began on September 9, will pause after October 15 and not return until January 6, 2025.

Ms Lawson added: "The county council, Spitfire Homes, and National Grid - they were very amenable in the Teams meeting.

"They understood the problems of local businesses with having these disruptions over Christmas.

"If the works had gone ahead as originally planned, it would have been devastating for businesses."

Malcolm Berry, Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council's chairman, said: "Local people have really been listened to on this.

"As a council, we're happy that there has been a response and a reaction. It's great news with regards to the Christmas period.

"We are hoping to see improved signage too during the work which will make parking more accessible in the centre of town."

Moreton-in-Marsh Town councillor Bob Easto added: "It was people working together that got it done.

"We raised it with Gloucestershire County Council initially, and it went from there.

"Businesses were concerned with the disruption the closures would cause during Christmas but the meetings showed that things could be changed.

"Everybody in the town is looking forward to celebrating the festive period as they want to."

Road closures and temporary traffic signals are in place during the works.

They are set to restart from January 6, 2025 until March 7 according to National Grid.