BUSINESS owners fear they will lose thousands of pounds in trade during the road closures for the inaugural Velothon Wales event - which are set for last nine hours.

Traders affected by road closures on June 14 criticised the decision to close roads for so long and say it will cause huge financial losses and/or inconvenience.

The owner of Blaenavon Rifleman’s Arms, Gary Griffiths, said he is concerned that their busiest day of trade - which typically sees over 100 Sunday lunches being served - will be affected.

He said: “We serve people from all over Torfaen so if the road is closed then they will not be able to get here so we will lose a whole day's trade.”

Organisers require the route to be completely closed to traffic for significant periods of time.

The race will see more than 15,000 cyclists take part, will force main roads in Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen and Monmouthshire to close for the whole day, causing major problems for traders.

Closures will be in place as the race passes through Torfaen on the following roads; Abergavenny Road, the B4246; in Blaenavon, Upper Waun Street, High Street, Lion Street, parts of Broad Street, Market Street, New William Street and the A4043 Cwmavon Road. In Pontypool; Snatchwood Road, Osborne Road, and the A472 will be affected.

Blaenavon councillor, Alan Jones, said he has been contacted by many trades who are worried about the road closure.

He said: "The main route through the heart of Blaenavon will be closed.

"Although I support the event in principle, it will directly impact on businesses and more should have been done to make sure that every one of the traders was contacted as many say they found out through third parties."

He said that he also has concerns about emergency services getting around the area, as the fire station is based off one of the closed roads and the main road from Blaenavon to Nevill Hall Hospital will also be closed.

Worried brother and sister Rob and Kate Williams, who run the Secret Garden at Little Mill said: “It’s just the wrong time of year for us.

“It is peak season and we are only a small business.”

“For us we will have to close as we are on the A4042 and will lose between £7,000 and £8,000.”

Anna Jones, owner of Usk Garden Centre, said the closure will cost her around £10,000 in profit during ‘peak season.’

“I feel that we haven’t had any information or any apology at all-do they care about local businesses?" she said.

“It’s ridiculous.”

Some residents have been more positive however.

John Harris, 70, said: “It’s a fantastic thing and we would never have any big sporting events if we just concentrated on the disruption.

“This has the potential to put the local area on the map.”

Velothon Wales is being promoted by the Welsh Government and involves a 140km route, along with a shorter 50kilometre route.

A Velothon Wales spokeswoman said: “We are still in the process of working with local residents and businesses who will be affected by the Velothon Wales route, in order to minimise disruption as much as possible, while also delivering an enjoyable –and most importantly completely safe event-for participants.

“We would urge any residents who are concerned about access in and out of their homes to check the exact details of the route on the Velothon Website and if they are still concerned, to contact us using the information at velothon-wales.co.uk/en/route/route-information/road-closures.