Just seven weeks before Christmas and already Swindon's town centre is grinding to a halt because of traffic congestion.

This was the scene on Saturday afternoon as motorists found themselves unable to get in or out of the Fleming Way car parks.

And it raises fears that, without the alternative of Christmas park and ride schemes, the town will be unable to cope with the amount of cars attempting to reach the town's shopping centre.

The Advertiser revealed last month that three temporary park and ride sites set up in the run up to last Christmas have been cancelled this year because bus companies do not have the staff to man the extra buses.

That leaves just one facility, the permanent site at The Copse, north of Swindon and that was only a third full on Saturday afternoon as motorists preferred to drive into town themselves.

Those choosing to park in one of the Fleming Way car parks, which include a multi-storey, were faced with delays of more than half an hour.

Swindon Borough Council admits there is a problem with congestion in the area. It blames roadworks on Fleet Street and a new one-lane system introduced because of bus lanes.

Council spokeswoman Lynda Fleming said: "The problem this year is worse than usual because of the roadworks in Fleet Street which have narrowed down the road to a single lane, causing tailbacks to the Fleming Way car parks. There is also a bus lane in Princes Street which further narrows the road.

"On a Saturday it is always busy but because of the extra problems like the roadworks, traffic is getting backed up so people leaving the car park can't get out, making it harder for people getting in. We do have car park staff to help, but there is only so much they can do."

One driver caught up in the jams was Josh West, 25, of Union Street.

He said: "I was stuck for more than half an hour just trying to get in to the car parks. The council has got to do something about this or at least put up signs so we can take diversions to other parking areas.

"You expect it to be bad, but not this bad. It's ridiculous."

Lisa Fowler, 28, of Marlborough was trying to go shopping with her nine-year-old daughter Bianca.

She said: "You can't imagine what it is like waiting in these queues, not knowing how long it's going to take, with a child in the car.

"These car parks just can't handle the volume of traffic and I don't think enough is being done to warn drivers that this is the case. I would have used the park and ride, but it is totally out of my way. If I had known maybe I would have gone shopping somewhere else."

The council is urging more people to use the town's Copse park and ride facility in Cricklade Road, which opens until 7.30pm and runs services every ten minutes. People can also use town centre car parks such as Spring Gardens, Carfax Street, and Brunel North and West.

Last year's park and rides ran on Saturdays until December 18.