Newport Town Mayor Councillor Roy Scammell fears roadworks on the A41 could cause chaos in the town centre.
A two-mile stretch of the busy trunk road will be closed for resurfacing work for a month, starting on Monday.
Work will start in between Chetwynd Firs and just north of Stanford Bridge, near Sambrook.
Northbound traffic is to be diverted along the A519 from Newport to Eccleshall, Staffordshire, then on to the A51 to Blackbrook and finally back on to the A53.
Diverted traffic between Newport and Tern Hill will have to travel some 30 miles to get past the closure.
Southbound traffic will be diverted from Tern Hill to Hodnet on the A53, then on the A442 to Telford and finally the A518 to Newport - a journey of about 22 miles.
Along the A41, the normal journey between Tern Hill and Newport is about 10 miles.
“It’s going to cause a few problems in Newport, no doubt about that,” said Councillor Scammell.
“I know that whenever there is a hold up on the A41 it always has a knock effect for us.
“It’s work that has got to be done though so there is little point complaining.
“It’s just a pity that it couldn’t have been done when the the days were longer - perhaps it could have been finished quicker if that had been the case.”
The work is sure to have an impact on local businesses, but owners appeared to be keeping cool today.
Georgina Handley, relief manager of the Bridge Inn said: “It probably will affect trade but we can’t do much about it – if it’s got to close then it’s got to close.
“If people want to come into Newport then they will find a way.”
The work is part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s annual programme of road improvements.
The contract is worth around £313,000 and has been awarded to Tarmac Ltd.
By Sean Wozencroft
