Traders are pleading for a bridge to be reopened temporarily so people can get into Wallingford to do their Christmas shopping.
Shopkeepers say closing Shillingford Bridge for essential repairs has cut the number of people shopping in the town.
Delays to the work on the historic bridge, a key route into Wallingford, means it will not now reopen until next month.
But traders and Wallingford Town Council have called on Oxfordshire County Council for a temporary opening so that people can get into town for their Christmas shopping.
Charlie Benner, the county council's principal bridge engineer, confirmed there had been delays but said: "We currently anticipate opening the bridge to traffic on December 2 in time for Christmas shopping."
Town clerk Andrew Rogers told the town council: "I have made it clear to the county council that every day that Shillingford Bridge is closed is another nail in the coffin of trade in Wallingford."
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