A PUB landlord has criticised a new fence blocking views of Newport's waterfront, saying "it's just like Colditz".

Paul George, 47, who runs the West of England pub in Pill, said the 15-foot-high wooden "monstrosity" was placed along the riverside without any local consultation.

The fence is part of screening and soundproofing for the new £55m Southern Distributor Road set to open at the end of this month. But Mr George and other distressed residents of Mill Parade are calling for the fence, which is between 500 and 600 yards long, to be pulled down.

Mr George said: "It was put up some time last week and has completely destroyed the view.

"It has also blocked out my signage, so people can no longer see the pub from a distance. Residents are up in arms as well. There is one elderly lady who lives down the road who has had pleasure looking out at the river.

"Now all she can see is a great big fence ten yards from her window. It's just like Colditz. There aren't even slits to peer through."

Mr George said he is not convinced of the value of soundproofing, and added: "I live three storeys up, so any noise will reach me anyway. "It has always been a bit noisy because of the boats and the road, but never particularly bad."

Councillor Ron Jones, cabinet member for transport, and a ward councillor for Pill, said: "These fences have been put up all round the SDR. Look at where it passes by Ringland - it's exactly the same.

"It's common sense that a fence will go up round a road like that. "I have had no complaints but I will ask an officer to look into it to see what can be done."