THOSE heading for the NSA Wales and Border Ram Sale on Monday are being advised to the follow the signs to get round the closure of the main street in Builth Wells.

Show bosses say they have every confidence that this year’s main sale will run smoothly, despite the closure.

Signs will be in place to redirect traffic along various alternative routes to and from the Royal Welsh Showground.

Chairman Gwynne Davies said: “The committee has organised signs, to be put up on Sunday morning advising those coming from west Wales to take the Beulah road, up through Newbridge on Wye, and so avoid any difficulties caused by the closure of the main road in Builth Wells. There will also be signs in Erwood, directing people to take the Hundred House road.

“I’ve reccied the routes and I’m confident they will work well, easing the traffic flow into and out of the Royal Welsh Showground. I really urge people to avoid the town with vehicles if at all possible.”

Meanwhile executive director, Jane Smith, has overseen revised planning of the Tup Taxi service and parking system, in an effort to ensure that the 5,000 plus rams make their way to their new homes as speedily as possible.

Mr Davies has just returned from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, where he saw how they operate their Tup Taxi system. Builth has more rams forward, although in a smaller area.

He said: “Kelso has been going since 1838, so they have some experience and I was keen to see for myself how they manage the traffic. I’m pretty satisfied that the system we’ve put in place is as good as it can be and that buyers as well as vendors will have a good day, when it comes to business as well as socially.

“I think my experience in Kelso also tells me that it takes days to get rams into these sales, and in Builth we aim to get them out in just a few hours, even quicker than they do in Kelso.”

The main NSA Wales & Border Ram Sale will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground on Monday, September 22.

It is traditionally billed as Europe’s biggest ram sale and is an important economic driver in Mid Wales, turning over £2million.