Traders are up in arms as disruption at Austin Friars Street could last for another six weeks

Westmeath County Council insists that businesses on Austin Friars Street, Mullingar were given sufficient notice of ducting works being carried out there, despite claims to the contrary by some traders.A six- week programme of works on the street, which began on Monday morning, will see overhead cables re-routed underground by the end of August.To achieve what is "not a straightforward job", the council said that closing the street and diverting traffic between 8am and 4.30pm on weekdays is necessary.But a statement by Mullingar Chamber of Commerce issued on Tuesday morning said that the works are having "a serious impact" on Austin Friars Street businesses.More in this week's paper...