Shop owners in a Pembrokeshire seaside town are emphasising that they are still open for business, despite the area being affected by an eight-week road closure.

Essential works to replace a culvert under the A487 in Newport were due to begin on Monday, January 6.

Traffic Wales says that the A487 will be closed in both directions from Parrog Street junction to the Market Street junction.

There will be a diversion through the town for cars and vans, but lorries face a 35-mile detour.

The Welsh Government has stated that every effort is being made to minimise disruption.

The roadworks will remain in place until at least February 28.

County councillor Huw Murphy, who represents the town on the Local Authority, told BBC Wales: “The problem for us is that in Newport there are no easy diversionary routes.

“The road will be closed but Newport won't be closed. I do think it's going to have an impact on the local economy.”

He added the town relied heavily on tourism, hospitality and leisure and there was a "real risk" that would "fall off".

A local diversion route for cars and small vans is in place will be via Upper West Street and Upper Bridge Street; while the car park at Long Street, which is free at this time of year is also open and accessible.

Kat Ellis, chairperson of Newport Chamber of Trade said: “This is a quiet time of year for businesses. To have a road closure on top of that, we don’t how it is going to go.

“We are trying to make everybody aware that as a town we are still open.

“Just because that road is closed doesn’t mean that the town is closed,” she added.