WE shared the news that business owners on Devonshire Street in Carlisle have spoken out about the impact that ongoing improvement works have had on their businesses.

Cumberland Council is currently undertaking construction work on the street to make it more welcoming with wider pavements, trees, and outdoor seating.

The authority has issued reminders throughout the project that the street's businesses have remained open.

Since construction started in February, there has been a significant drop in revenue and footfall for businesses in the area.

Some readers were sceptical of the development.

David Clifford said: "I understand the money could only be used for specific schemes. But you have now caused another bottleneck in a city centre that is trying to squeeze the car out."

Rodger Murphy felt the money should have been used to improve the roads.

However, Ant Byers commented that 'things need updated eventually and it was never going to be cheap'.

Kevin McDonald, who said he used to live on Devonshire Street, said: "When I lived there the council decided to put large flower troughs in, they only lasted for a short while as they caused an obstruction."

Other readers including Thomas Hughes said they felt traffic had been negatively impacted.