Businesses are beginning to group together to take Cheltenham Borough Council to task over its attempts to tackle the thoroughfare known as Boots Corner.

While it is widely accepted that a major flow of traffic cutting the busy pedestrianised Cheltenham High Street in two needed to be looked at, just weeks into the 18-month experiment the plans are not going well.

Only days after motorists were warned they would now be fined for driving through the area the threat had to be lifted.

Many motorists continued to use the road and Cheltenham Borough Council and the highways authority, Gloucestershire County Council, were forced to concede more signage was needed.

Businesses in the vicinity have begun to complain vociferously that the impact on their trade and deliveries is unsustainable and frustration remained after yesterday's (July 23) borough council meeting to discuss the matter.

Chun Kong, owner of the ever-popular Mayflower Restaurant in Cheltenham, took to Twitter to voice his dismay: "I attended the council meeting today as an observer with fellow business owners in this area regarding the Boots Corner closure and we're still none the wiser!

"Furthermore, the actual councillor in charge of it declined to meet with us to hear our opinions! Keep clam and carry on."

Lumiere Restaurant, run by Jon and Helen Howe on Clarence Parade, just off the now notorious juncture, Tweeted: "We were at the same meeting... how do we make our voices heard?"

Mr Kong replied: "We'll work together and unite with other businesses which have seen our business suffered due to such ill thought Boots Corner closure!"

‏A lengthy comment dated July 13 posted on Lumiere's Facebook page by borough councillor Klara Sudbury said she had spoken "to the person overseeing the Cheltenham Transport Plan on behalf of the County Council".

"I urged them to make sure there was extra signage so people were not needlessly going along Royal Well Road then having to turn into the Promenade.

"I also raised my concerns about road safety in areas where displaced traffic is still a significant problem two weeks into the trial.

"Bath Road/St Luke's Road/College Road in my ward is very seriously affected at peak times. Rodney Road, also in my ward, has also become a cut through and is 100 per cent less suitable for through traffic than Boots Corner is.

"There was a serious road traffic accident on Ambrose Street last week in the rush hour when a pedestrian was in collision with two vehicles and airlifted to hospital."

Kevan Blackadder, of Cheltenham Bid, which represents businesses in the town centre, said while everyone started from the same point - that work needed to be done to tackle Boots Corner - it was important the local authorities listened to feedback from businesses and reacted quickly to adapt the plans going forward.

There are issues around deliveries to some businesses that need to be addressed urgently and @CheltenhamBID is asking @CheltenhamBC and @GlosCC for solutions

— Cheltenham BID (@CheltenhamBID) July 24, 2018