Traders in Wales's smallest city are protesting against proposals for roadworks which will last for nine weeks.

Businesses in St David's, Pembrokeshire, claim the work will have a drastic affect on passing trade during the autumn and winter.

The cathedral is a big attraction for tourists

Business owners in Nun Street say they were not consulted about the plans and that restaurants, shops and guest houses will lose a lot of custom.

But Pembrokeshire council says the work will only affect a part of the road and it is being done after the busy tourist season.

Thousands of tourists flock to St David's each year to visit the cathedral.

This year the area was further boosted during the summer by the staging of the National Eisteddfod.

Businesses say they rely heavily on passing trade during the quieter months and the roadworks will have a significant impact on their takings.

Rob Pugh, who runs a guest house in Nun Street, said they found out about the work by accident.

He said: "It was only when someone spotted some minutes of a city council meeting that we realised what was going to happen.

"It is annoying and worrying that the council couldn't take into account our business needs.

"The season isn't over - we all trade throughout the year and after foot-and-mouth last year the last thing we want is further disruption to our business."

Work on water mains in St David's will begin in New street on Tuesday.

The Nun Street Business Traders Association wrote to the council expressing their concerns.

Mr Pugh added: "All we've had in reply is a card acknowledging receipt of our letter.

"We expected to be consulted and expected a properly raised concern to be responded to."

Response

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire council said there was no requirement to consult traders .

"If we had to do that all the time then we wouldn't get anything done.

"The local authority has a statutory duty to inform the police and the local council member of such works.

"The appropriate public notices relating to the closure and the associated works appeared in the local newspaper earlier this month, as also required by legislation.

"In addition there has been a mail drop with explanatory letters delivered to all properties with frontages on Nun Street and New Street," he said.