TRADERS in Pontypool are counting the cost of the loss of a day's business following the closure and evacuation of the town's main street.

Commercial Street was brought to a standstill on Monday morning when a Stagecoach Red and White bus struck scaffolding in front of Beverley Morgan estate agency, making it unsafe.

Police acted quickly by clearing the area, closing businesses and sending staff home. It was over five hours before the road was open again, which meant businesses effectively lost a day's trade.

"We thought it wasn't too serious at first - that we would be shut for an hour or so, while the scaffolding was cleared up", said Bob Cooper, who runs O'Brien Cooper Photography studio, next door to the estate agents.

Mr Cooper thinks he may have lost up to £1,500. He added: "But when we came back a little later, hoping to open up, it was clear we wouldn't be able to. It was a bit of a shock. Monday is our busiest day, and you just don't know how many calls you've missed.

"We've possibly lost two wedding parties at £500 each, plus quite a few other jobs - certainly around £1500. But at the end of the day it's just fortunate no one was hurt, that's the main thing".

Wendy Thomas, who runs Osborne Fabrics, also on Commercial Street, said she would be looking at the possibility of submitting a claim for her loss of around £150. "We'll have to wait and see who we submit it to", she said.

Mark Gregory, owner of Bread of Heaven Cafe, who also lost around £100 said: "We'll be very interested in what the health and safety people have to say."

It took over an hour for health and safety officers to assess the situation and give the green light for workmen to dismantle the scaffolding. Police were able to open the road at 4.20pm.

A spokesperson from Stagecoach said the company is conducting their own investigation into the matter.

Police have confirmed the matter is now in the hands of the health and safety executive, who are looking into the incident.

A spokesperson from the health and safety executive told the Argus that officers were liaising with the scaffolding company concerned - Associated Scaffolding in Cwmbran, to discuss training and safety issues.