SIGNS announcing roadworks would take place on the main approach to Tavistock throughout the busiest shopping period of the year threw town traders into panic last week.
The large yellow signs were erected outside Tavistock?s Plymouth Road cemetery and warned motorists of roadworks between December 1 and December 19.
Traders in the town were horrified at the thought of traffic disruption dissuading Christmas shoppers away from Tavistock.
John Follett, who owns a furniture and lighting shop in Brook Street, said he was appalled at the timing of the roadworks, slamming it ?callous? and ?ridiculous?.
But after a flood of phone calls to Tavistock?s county councillor Roy Connelly and officers at county hall, it was revealed that the signs had been put up in error.
A spokesperson for the council said: ?It was a bit of a misunderstanding and the roadworks won?t be happening until the New Year.?
She said work is due to start on a new roundabout at the junction of Brook Lane and the main A386, by the Plymouth Road cemetery, in January.
?We have had a number of traders contact the council to ask what is happening and we have responded to them all and apologised for causing them concern.
?We wouldn?t carry out major works like that during the busiest shopping time of the year,? she said.
She was unable to say when the new roundabout work was due to start, but it would not be before January 6.
Mr Follett said: ?It?s nice to see our local representative doing something to look after the interests of our traders and shoppers in the town.?