TOWN centre traffic chaos is costing traders dear.

A temporary one-way system in Flint has led to long tailbacks with Church Street being swamped by heavy goods vehicles, retailers claim.

They say the measure, which stops traffic turning off the A548 on to Aber Road, is forcing drivers heading for the A55 to cut through the busy shopping street.

Amanda Butler, a florist at Jones The Gardeners, said the road had become noisy and congested.

She said: “The traffic is absolutely horrendous.

“We have been quieter (in terms of business) in the last week and I think people are definitely avoiding Church Street.

“I went around the houses to get home last night it took me 15 minutes it only normally takes me five.”

Lukie Thomas, who owns the Lunch Box, said: “It has not done us any favours. It has been quieter. We can’t hear what people are saying, it is so loud.

“Everybody is moaning about it.”

The roadworks will last 10 weeks and are part of the EirGrid East West Interconnector project, which will link the electricity transmission networks of Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

Town councillor Terry Renshaw claimed he had warned of the dangers before the system was introduced.

He said: “It is chaos on Church Street. People are finding their own way around. All it takes is a few heavy goods vehicles to block the whole road up.

“In a town like Flint you cannot alter the traffic without being affected by it. It is chaos in the day and it is chaos during rush hour.

“People are getting stuck on the turning from Chester Road onto Church Street and it is becoming dangerous. It is scheduled to last for 10 weeks but the hope is they get ahead of schedule.”

A spokesman for EirGrid said: “For the work to be carried out safely it will be necessary to restrict traffic turning into Aber Road off the A548.

“A diversion route will be in place along the high street and will be clearly signposted. Some traffic management measures will also be in place in order to maintain safe traffic flows.

“Access will be maintained for residents and emergency vehicles at all times.”