NEWPORT motorists are hit by far more roadworks and closures than drivers in most of Wales, new figures reveal.

The city council came second last out of a league table of 22 Welsh authorities for causing six days of disruption per kilometre of road.

The National Assembly figures measure the number of days of temporary traffic controls or road closure on "traffic sensitive" roads.

The average in Wales was just 1.37 days and only Ceredigion was worse than Newport, with 7.06 days.

Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Torfaen's roadworks caused hardly any disruption, the figures show.

And the number of delays in Monmouthshire equated to just 2.4 days. The council said the poor result - based on figures for 2001-02 - was because of major works on the Southern Distributor Road and improving the city's infrastructure.

But Ron Hughes, treasurer of Newport Taxi Drivers' Association, said: "These figures... don't reflect the problems the roadworks create for people. Taxi drivers have all suffered. My takings were down by thousands.

"And what about shopkeepers in Pill, businesses off Corporation Road, and residents hit by months of closures at Belle Vue Lane.

"Sometimes every major artery into Newport is affected by roadworks. "All we ask for is reasonable planning and consultation." Last month the Argus reported that Newport needs £25m for a third of the city's roads to be rebuilt.

Councillor Graham Dally, cabinet member for transport, said even more roadworks could appear if the city gets funding for some of the repairs. "If it is the Southern Distributor Road construction that has caused this figure, then we just have to suffer it until it's completed in June."

Brian Kemp, head of engineering and construction, said: "There has been more recent investment in the transport infrastructure including the improved bus routes resulting in roadworks requiring traffic controls."