The two annual Mop Fairs in Marlborough cannot be moved out of the town centre because they operate under an 800 year old statute that would take an Act of Parliament to reprieve.

Last night members of the town’s retail forum led by chairman Chris Birkett attended the town council meeting in the hope of getting some assurances that steps could be taken to alleviate the town’s traffic gridlock situation caused by roadworks.

Pewsey Road has been closed for the next six months at least to enable the bridge over the River Kennet to be replaced and meanwhile gas board contractors have introduced a one-way system in Kingsbury Street for the next three months to enable them to lay new pipes.

At peak periods traffic in the town comes to a standstill with queues back as far as Ogbourne St Andrew towards Swindon, past the start of the 40mph limit in Bath Road and beyond the Postern Hill picnic site on the Burbage Road.

Drivers have been taking an hour to get from one side of the town to the other and shops have reported a big drop in sales because shoppers are staying away.

Last night traders asked if parking charges in the town could be dropped for the duration of the roadworks to help encourage shoppers to return and Mr Birkett asked if the Showmen’s Guild would consider moving the Mop fairs out of the High Street to The Common for just this year to avoid further delays in the Pewsey Road bridge replacement.

Wiltshire Council is committed to having the bridge open to one-way traffic because the Mop fairs require the closure of the High Street.

“Closing the High Street for the fairs will just add to the time the Pewsey Road is closed,” said Mr Birkett who runs Ducklings Toy Shop in Hilliers Yard.

Coun Nick Fogg said: “The Mop Fairs are charter fairs, part of the ancient charter of Marlborough going back to 1204.

“It is an absolute right of the showmen to hold these fairs in the High Street. No council has any influence on that.”

Coun Fogg added: “It would take an Act of Parliament to move the fairs from the High Street.”

Stephen Rawlings, chairman of the Wessex Section of the Showmen’s Guild, told the meeting: “The fairs date back to the 13th century when charters and statutes were put in place.

“We became aware last Wednesday that it was suggested we could move to The Common this year but even in our organisation we do not have the power to take these fairs out of the High Street.”

High Street jeweller David Dudley suggested parking charges in the town should be suspended during the roadworks and a park and ride scheme operated from The Common to encourage people to shop in the town.