TRADERS say roadworks which have caused rush hour jams along Lyneham High Street are costing them money.

But Wiltshire County Council says the work is essential and claims disruption has been minimised as much as possible.

Steve Masi, manager of Lyneham store Londis News, said just getting into the centre of the village can take ages.

He said: "It takes me about three quarters of an hour to get into work from just outside the village, a journey which would normally take minutes.

"That is not the only problem. I have noticed that our takings have decreased dramatically during the time the roadworks have been in place. I know that other traders here feel the same way."

The resurfacing work along a mile stretch of the High Street, started earlier this month, will not be complete until Christmas. And drivers face long delays during the rush hours caused by the three sets of traffic lights which have been put in place along the single carriageway road.

Wiltshire County Council network manager Kevin Robbins said: "The work being carried out is a resurfacing to the carriageway, which is in quite a state of disrepair.

"It is part of a rolling programme of repairs to our road network and should take about six weeks to complete in total. Although we did have some disruption early on, we have been able to keep disruption to a minimum."