High Street traders in Maldon are hoping shoppers will return to the town as new measures came into force to minimise the impact of roadworks.
Part of the town's High Street was due to be closed during the day for two months but now it has been decided to allow two-way traffic on Saturdays between Market Hill and Spital Road.
At a meeting on Friday, attended by highways engineers, High Street shopkeepers and Maldon town centre manager Marion Wells, new measures were agreed to minimise impact on trade.
Highways engineers allowed two-way traffic on Saturday and in the evenings without the disruption of traffic lights.
And traders were optimistic on Saturday that the High Street was starting to fill up again.
Doreen Carnaby, of Talking Flowers, said there had been more passing trade as the upper part of the street re-opened.
But she was still concerned about the safety of pedestrians.
"People are now used to walking in the middle of the road when it's closed," she said.
"Many won't know it's open again and that could be very dangerous." And Jill Hawkins, of Platform One, agreed that business was improving. "I haven't had time to even look outside today." New signs declaring business as usual will also be put up on all seven of Maldon's roundabouts in a bid to encourage shoppers to return to the town centre.
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