THE roadworks which blocked off the A65 through Gargrave to all traffic for maintenance should be completed within days - and with only one loss of life to be mourned.

Contractors from Cumbria working for the Lancashire-based Highways Agency promised residents and business owners that when the estimated 10-week-long work began, they would "hit the ground running".

They estimated the road would be completely closed for up to three weeks with traffic controlled with lights for the remaining seven.

And, credit where credit's due, the contractors have kept their promises and kept disruption to a minimum.

When the work began on May 7, the contractors proved so efficient that more than three weeks has been cut from the timescale, with completion expected this weekend rather than the July 14 date villagers were given.

For Twin Locks garden centre, on the Settle side of the village, the roadworks will serve to remind them of the sad loss of a member of staff who was crossing the road as traffic was being allowed through again.

Peat, the owners' garden centre cat, employed as a mouser and not a pet, got used to being able to cross the road in safety when traffic was halted. It wasn't until cars started going through again that his ninth life was used up and his share of the garden centre workload has been heaped on workmate Moss.

"He was a good work cat," said owner Linda Twiss, whose nursery lost around 75 per cent of its custom during the three-week closure of the road.

Yet despite the difficulties of reaching the nursery, many of their regular customers remained faithful.

"In some instances people who only live a few hundred yards away would drive a six-mile detour to get to us and we appreciated it," she said.

Robert Goulding, on behalf of the Highways Consultancy which prepared the scheme for the Highways Agency said he had paid several visits to the two villages from his office in Preston to see for himself how work was progressing.

"I am delighted how things have gone and have to say that during this time the people in the villages have been absolutely fantastic. They have worked with us as much as they could and the only abuse our contractors have received has been from people visiting the area - mainly during the half term week - who ignored the roadwork signs and tried to access the village when it was closed," he said.

During the closure traffic was directly along the A59 to Gisburn and then along the A682 north to Long Preston where the A65 was rejoined.

But in order to highlight the fact that access was still possible into Gargrave, the Highways Agency allowed traders to put up "open for business" signs adjacent to the diversions.

Highways also made special "Nellies" - the unique pink elephant signs which Gargrave uses to advertise events - and attached them to official signs. It was something the Agency said it had never done before and showed its willingness to lessen the effects of the work wherever possible.

Parish council chairman Alan Simpson praised the contractors. He said: "They have done an excellent job, well organised and way ahead of schedule and should be congratulated. It was a pleasure watching them work."

He said the only grumble was from motorists who had used some of the small side roads as short cuts.

"Chew Lane, in particular has had its grass verges damaged through two lanes of vehicles trying to fit into one lane. However, I understand the county council is going to look at any damage," said Mr Simpson.

Linda Hartell-Payne, owner of the Dalesman Caf said the Cumbrian contractors completely broke the mould of what people have come to think about British workmanship.

"They were politeness personified, were always tidy, kept the pavements clear while at the same time being as helpful as they could towards everyone from cyclists to little old ladies.

"They spent money in the area, using the Co-op, newsagents and the caf. It was a pleasure to have them around," she said.

The final phase of the work will be carried out in Hellifield next week when contractors return just to "polish off" the job.

This part is along Kendal Road from its junction with Kendal Close to the primary school. The road, however, will be kept open with the use of traffic lights.