Work on the Kendal Street upgrade has finally begun, after years of planning and deliberation.

The $3.5 million project will transform Cowra's central business district into a more pedestrian-friendly precinct to encourage people to shop in town.

It will also give a much-needed facelift to the main drag while improving the safety of the road for motorists.

Cowra mayor Cr Bill West said stage one of the project is going well, with "generally good" cooperation from pedestrians, motorists and businesses.

He said while traffic has "mostly" adapted to the changed road conditions, some drivers are ignoring the detour at Lachlan Street and have turned onto Vaux Street at Macquarie Street instead.

"This has seen some vehicles damage garden beds on the Macquarie Street intersection and also damage their vehicles," Cr West said.

"The same problem is occurring at the eastern intersection coming into Cowra with heavy vehicles ignoring the detour down Fitzroy Street and instead travelling straight ahead on Kendal Street, resulting in left turns into Brisbane Street adjacent to Cowra Post Office.

"We are therefore urging all heavy vehicles to utilise the temporary detour on Vaux Street that the RMS has created for this redevelopment."

Meanwhile, Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre manager Fran Stead is pleading with people to slow down on the Vaux Street detour after her staff members reported a couple of near misses close to the centre and school.

She asked drivers to be wary of the pedestrian crossing and to be extra vigilant in the busy area during the road closure.

"We have had five near misses with this crossing and it's not even day two of the detour. It is cars failing to stop, not trucks. [The] police have been notified about this. Someone is going to get hit," Ms Stead said.

Cr West said council workers have also witnessed drivers performing dangerous, sometimes illegal manoeuvres and urged drivers to obey all traffic signs and road rules.

While the jury is still out on the road closure's impact on businesses in the main street, Cr West encouraged business owners to get in touch with Council if they have ideas for promotional signage or other ways to promote the CBD while work is ongoing.

"Traffic signage has been created to encourage small passing traffic and locals to continue utilising businesses in the main street with ample off-street parking for this purpose," Cr West said.

"We believe that, once local shoppers become familiar with these works and traffic conditions, trade will return to normal levels."

If you have any ideas or concerns, you can get in touch with Cowra Council by calling 6340 2000.