THE High Street in Builth Wells has been transformed in to an outdoor social area. Road works taking place in the Brecknockshire town to replace the water system have meant the main road through the town is closed, however local pub owners have embraced the lack of traffic and placed picnic benches outside their establishments. Patrick Barrington-Coates, owner of Hawthornes gift shop and confectioners was concerned that the street 'looks like a refuse site' and said: "There are cigarette ends all over the road, the shop owners are cleaning up the mess." Ann Davies, owner of The Strand Cafe had a more positive view: "People are getting used to the road being closed now. People are able to walk in to the town and shop without having to worry about cars and traffic." Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is paying two hours free parking on the Groe in order to encourage people to still visit the town's shops and businesses. For more on this story see this week's Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now