A VETERAN councillor fears that crippling traffic problems in Deeside may never be solved.

Last year the Leader launched a campaign to find a long-term solution to ease the congestion that has plagued Shotton for years, but Cllr Tony Sharps, Flintshire Council’s executive member for the environment, has said he fears the problems will go on for ever.

He said: “You are talking about a massive scheme to solve the congestion in Shotton and until the political will is there the problem will last forever.

“There would have to be a massive ring road designed but no-one will face up to it because they are too frightened of losing votes. From what I’m hearing I don’t think it will ever happen.”

Cllr Sharps said a solution could lie in the creation of a Flint bypass as well as encouraging more motorists to use the Flintshire Bridge and public transport.

He added: “We are all busy campaigning for a Flint bypass, but the deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is just not listening to us.

“Plus there is too much bureaucracy. All people do is complain and anyone who does come up with an idea gets shot down.”

Cllr Sharps is now hopeful a proposal by Flintshire Council to take over the management of parking enforcement from North Wales Police will help ease the problem.

He added: “A lot of the congestion in Deeside is caused by inconsiderate parking and while this is not the answer it will help to ease the congestion.”

Since launching its campaign the Leader has been inundated with suggestions from members of the public who have come up with various solutions to the congestion chaos, including building a tunnel under Shotton and creating bus laybys.

Highways chiefs are currently reviewing all the proposals in the hope of finding a long-term solution.

Dave Faulkner, Flintshire’s head of highways and transportation, said: “We are working closely with transport consultants to consider all options to relieve the congestion.”