TRAFFIC on the main route into Hereford shows no sign of freeing up this month to the frustration of motorists.

Constant queues along Aylestone Hill and Blue School Street have become a common occurrence as motorists try to enter and exit the city via Commercial Road.

The new City Link Road is being blamed for the traffic problems due to a change in road layout and traffic light timings at the Hereford Railway Station.

City councillor Jim Kenyon thinks the installation of a roundabout would have solved the congestion issues.

"I said the layout was wrong and I believe it is wrong but the council don't listen," said Cllr Kenyon.

"It's absolutely ridiculous with one carriageway down Commercial Road and has caused everything to snarl up. The council have made a mistake and should hold their hands up and say that they have made a mistake.

"It used to be two lanes which merged the other side of the traffic lights which meant the two lanes would fill up along Commercial Road and would filter together.

"I think installing a roundabout in this case might have done well and get rid of the lights altogether. When the lights go down everything seems to move better."

Nick Prince, an engineer for Heineken, said that altering the timings of the traffic lights would solve the problem.

He said that the light sequence switches to green for about seven seconds which is causing traffic 'chaos'.

"I look after the lines at Heineken which is all about efficiency and if our lines ran the way the traffic lights do we would be out of a job," said Mr Prince.

"They need somebody out there with a lap top monitoring it and doing adjustments or just adjust the timings to what they used to be, it can't be too hard."

In response a spokesman for Herefordshire Council said: "The traffic lights on Aylestone Hill are operational and are operating on FT (fixed time).

"This means that the ‘green time’ on each arm is set manually as the signals are not currently able to automatically detect traffic levels and adjust to regulate traffic flow. Once the area has been resurfaced, there will be traffic detection loops installed to manage traffic more effectively.

"The traffic volumes travelling southbound are greater than usual on Aylestone Hill due to the southbound lane closure on the A49 at Newtown Roundabout which allows works to be undertaken on the A49 as part of the City Link Road works.

"Aylestone Hill is part of the diversion route for traffic and whilst it is part of the diversion route the surfacing works at the junction cannot be undertaken.

"Our Traffic Signals Engineers have adjusted the ‘green times’ to take account that the junction is part of the diversion route for traffic and to try and improve traffic flows on Aylestone Hill, whilst balancing the demand on the other roads at the junction. This has improved flows through the junction.

"The City Link Road will be opened in December and we thank the travelling public for their continued patience during its construction.’’