TRADERS who say they were financially hit by last year's Velothon fear the same will happen again.

After hundreds of complaints last year, event organisers have sent out letters and spoken to people to quell any unrest including a public meeting in Llanfoist a few weeks ago and several others across Torfaen.

But whilst many in Newport and Pontypool feel positive about the Velothon putting South Wales ‘on the map’, traders and farmers alike in Blaenavon, Llanfoist by Abergavenny and Goytre remain unconvinced.

Landlord of the Foxhunter Inn, Alan Long said: “We will lose nearly £1,500 of turnover, trade we need to survive. We weren’t sure at first if we would open at all as our two waitresses won’t be able to get here and neither will the chef. We are completely cut off.

“We had a man from the organisers come round about three weeks ago but I know many people who haven’t heard a thing about from a leaflet through the door. Even he said we would feel it but nothing could be done.”

The route on Sunday May 22 has been modified from last year to address some of the issues and organisers including head of Velothon delivery Nigel Russell has engaged in numerous meetings so that people feel reassured after last year.

Chairwoman of the Pontypool Traders Association, Nikola Masters said: “I think its brilliant and am so excited. I can understand why some people in remote places will feel but generally speaking it’s great to have the fifth biggest cycling event come through our area.

“It’s such a great advert to promote all of our business and people need to feel the community spirit it can bring as everyone comes out to watch the cyclist ride past.”

Monmouthshire Cllr Bryan Jones of Goytre Fawr was the only member to vote against the Velothon last year and said: “I have to admit, the organisation this year has been better, I had someone knock on my door who didn’t even know I was a councillor, so no one can use that excuse.

“But I know many people will feel like a prisoner for the day and many businesses including pubs like the Foxhunter Inn rely on Sunday lunches to survive. I just can’t accept the principle.”

Many feel that the road closure's between 7.30am and 3.30pm with a one hour gap are unnecessary compared to a rolling road block.

Richard Jones of the The Goytre Arms added: “Its mixed feelings, we are lucky that the route comes right passed our door, we will lose money in lunches but if the weathers good we should claw most of that back through drinks and snacks."