PLANS to reduce the time allotted for vital sewer works in Okehampton were this week described as 'still a major problem for businesses' by the town's chamber of trade.

The proposed duration for the £250,000 scheme has been cut from 13 weeks to seven, following a meeting held by the chamber last month.

Representatives from South West Water and engineers Balfour Beatty attended to discuss possible options.

Chamber chairman Ian Bailey said he felt unhappy with the outcome: 'I am obviously disappointed that Devon County Council were unable to move the dates, as it coincides with our busiest visitor time.

'Both South West Water and Balfour Beatty gave good presentations and they have made every effort to cut the duration, but it will still affect the town.'

Mr Bailey said he respected West Devon and county councillor Christine Marsh's input at the meeting.

He said: 'Mrs Marsh answered as well as she could with the information she had and she represented Devon County Council very well.

'However, our general feeling is it's got to be done and it will be foisted upon us — whether we like it or not.

'I think now the chamber has to turn a negative situation into a positive one.

'An idea has been put forward to have stalls in Fore Street during the week that it will be closed.

'South West Water are in agreement that we can do this and so are Devon County Council — so that's what we are trying to achieve at the moment.'

Project manager for South West Water, Stephen Cross, said: 'We have been working hard to minimise disruption to residents and businesses in Okehampton as much as possible while completing these essential works.

'We have been able to reduce the programme by bringing in extra resources and looking at how we can approach the work from a different angle.

'Using the latest technology, sewers will be re-lined using 'no dig' techniques wherever possible, which means work can be completed much faster than using traditional methods.

'No dig techniques involve gaining access to the sewer network via manholes but require very little excavation — this means time on site and road surfacing will be kept to a minimum.'

Mr Cross said the longer summer days meant they could get more done each day.

'We will still aim to complete work by 8pm every evening and we are also working with the trades association to keep business as usual during the work.'

Member of Okehampton Town Council and owner of Upcott Bed and Breakfast, Cllr Kay Bickley, said: 'It's excellent that they've managed to shorten the duration, but not so excellent that it is happening in July and August.

'On top of the bad weather we had, the road works that took place with the traffic lights and the general pressures of the recession, it's all been disruptive on businesses.

'We were looking to the tourist season to make up the difference.

'I think one of the major irritations was that highways were taking the view that this was not a busy time for Okehampton, which is a gross under-estimation of traffic flow in the height of the season in the town.'

Cllr Bickley said to see visitors go elsewhere would be hard: 'Traffic will be diverted from the A30 away from Okehampton and onto Launceston and other places.

'If tourists can't get into town we are going to loose that business.

'As a councillor, my biggest problem is that we are not consulted about these things or kept in the loop — which in turn has an adverse effect on the town.'