NEWPORT traders are launching an eleventh hour bid to halt bus lane works in the town.

The traders claim the works could severely dent their trade and also force would-be Newport Christmas shoppers to avoid the town in favour of Cardiff and Cwmbran.

But Newport county borough council says the works , which is part of a larger scheme in Newport, will bring "long term benefits" to the city-status bidding town.

Electrical and hi-fi shop director Robert Hughes, of A E Hughes & Sons, Clarence Place, said: "The work is due to last 12 weeks until December 17 (it started yesterday) which is slap bang in the middle of our busiest period and the summer hasn't been brilliant for sales so we are relying on the run up to Christmas."

Mr Hughes said the Clarence Place Traders Association had sought a meeting on site with a Newport county borough council representative but to no avail. And he said traders were concerned on the wider effect the works would have on the attraction of Newport in general.

He said: "A glossy magazine is being produced this year to high-light the attractions of the town and the shops but faced with roadworks in Clarence Place, shoppers will most likely go to Cardiff or Cwmbran instead."

Mr Hughes said he also has doubts over the need for a bus lane which, he claims, could lead to the creation of a traffic bottleneck.

He said traders would prefer it if the bus lane work was postponed until the New Year.

A Newport council spokeswoman said the Clarence Place bus lane scheme is part of continuing plan in Newport to help ease traffic congestion which affects the smooth running of public transport.

The spokeswoman confirmed that the works will take 12 week to complete and "although motorists may suffer short-term delays and inconvenience in the long term everyone will feel the benefits."

She said the work, which was designed by Newport-based Gwent Consultancy for the council following extensive public consultation.

Newport council's head of engineering said: "Although motorists will face some delays we urge them to be patient and look at the long term benefits that will accrue from a better integrated transport system."