TRADERS in Newport say they are frustrated with lack of progress to revamp their leaking, pigeon-infested shopping arcade.

In 2004 Newport council commissioned a report looking at how the privately-owned Market Arcade could be regenerated.

The report, written by Page and Dean Consulting, warned that historical features would be lost unless the work, which they estimated would cost £1m, was carried out.

Tina Thomson, 37, owner of Thomson's Welsh gifts, which moved to the Grade II listed arcade from High Street last September, said it was in desperate need of repair.

"Work needs to be done and quickly," she said. "The roof is leaking and there are loads of pigeons in here.

"The arcade has a lot of potential and could attract a lot more shoppers if it was made more attractive."

Another trader, who did not wish to be named, said she was disappointed nothing had been done since the report was completed.

"When it rains it's wetter inside the shop than it is outside," she said. "The roof is in a dreadful state and some of the shops need doing up. I think if work was done it would attract more shops and shoppers." City councillor Peter Davies has been arguing that the council should take action.

"It's in a disgraceful state," he said. "It could be a beautiful Victorian arcade but at the moment it is an eyesore. "The council is planning to spend money on revamping the city centre but it should preserve gems like this before building new ones."

The arcade belongs to the owners of premises within it and a council spokesman said the local authority had been finding it hard to contact the owners of the buildings to discuss the way forward.

"The council intends to contact the owners of shops within the arcade again early in the year to seek an agreement on how the recommendations in the feasibility study can be taken forward," he said.

The arcade, which runs between High Street and Market Street, was built in 1900. There are 14 shops, including a tattoo parlour and barber.