Cockermouth shoppers urged to back traders during roadworks
Residents of a Cumbrian town have been urged to show as much support for local businesses during ongoing roadworks as they did when it flooded.
Hundreds of properties in Cockermouth were hit in 2009, and local retailers are now concerned trade will again be affected by the closure of Main Street.
As part of a £1.7m project, larger diameter drains are being installed to make the town more flood resilient.
The council said it hoped people would make an effort to support traders.
For the first phase of work, Main Street is closed to vehicles between Sullart Street and Station Street, although pedestrian access has been maintained.
'Do some shopping'
Councillor Keith Little, cabinet member for highways at Cumbria County Council, said: "When the floods came in 2009 we saw a magnificent response, with local people going out of their way to support local shops and to ensure money was still coming into the town.
"I'm urging people to once again make the extra effort to support local traders in the town and help them in their hour of need.
"The long-term benefits this work will bring speak for themselves, but what I don't want to see is businesses going under in the short term.
"They need all our support, so please make the effort to visit the town and do some shopping."