SOME business owners and residents are demanding the Velothon cycling route be changed next year to stop “road closure chaos” in Gwent.

The annual one-day event which took place on Sunday saw thousands of cyclists ride from Cardiff before cycling through Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly. A number of road closures were in place in Gwent on Sunday and some businesses have slammed the event for “forcing” them to close for the day.

Opposition to the cycling event has seen 181 people sign an online petition for the route to be “adapted”. Uday Patel, who owns Nash Stores, said he supported the petition “one hundred per cent” because he was “forced” to close his store.

“Because Nash Road was shut we had to close our shop,” said Mr Patel. “We are normally open on a Sunday.

“On a Sunday we make a couple of hundred pounds and for a small business that means a lot. We’ve probably lost about £200.”

He added: “I’m really angry and that’s why I support the petition.

“The route needs to move somewhere else because it’s time for a change.”

The co-owner of Spytty-based Fit My Floor, Charlie Lewis, also expressed his frustration.

He said: “There is only one road to us so we had to close because people weren’t able to drive to our store. We are a new business and we do a lot of trade on a Saturday and Sunday.

“On the previous Sunday we made £2,000 so we’ve probably lost the same amount. I’m not against the Velothon but its route needs changing.”

Chris Hughes, who lives in Llanyrafon, said he is angry that his son’s business closed on Sunday due to the event.

He said: “My son has a business in Newport and it had to close on the Sunday because of the road leading to it was shut.

“This cycling event sees Gwent shut down and causes road closure chaos.

"We can’t have this again and the route ought to change next year. Perhaps new roads could be used for the route rather than the same ones.”

Caerleon resident, Jim Sullivan, is also calling for the cycling route to be changed following an accident on Belmont Hill.

The 73-year-old said: “I saw an ambulance and I went to see what was happening. When I got to the hill we were told that the person was badly injured.

“Belmont Hill is infamous because it’s so steep and it really shouldn’t be used. I’m not against the Velothon but Belmont Hill should be removed from its map.”

A Gwent Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident and added that the cyclist was taken to hospital.

Velothon Wales’ event director Nigel Russell has previously said: “While we have received unprecedented support from local communities in the build-up to this year’s Velothon Wales, we understand the concerns of those affected by road closures on Sunday, July 9.

“We have worked closely with the five local authorities involved to take lessons from the previous years and develop an alternative that provides a safe environment for the participants as well as minimising the impact on local residents and businesses. This means large sections of the route will be reopened, where it is safe to do so, between the amateur sportive and the professional race.”