POLICE introduced a ban on U-turns at three Tredegar town centre roundabouts in a bid to stamp out anti-social "car cruising".

Motorists are no longer allowed to carry out u-turns at The Circle roundabout - where Tredegar Town Clock stands - the Kwik Save roundabout or at the junction of the Promenade with the A4048.

The ban, for an initial period of 18 months, will be in force between 8pm and 4am each day.

The move is a joint project between Blaenau Gwent council and Gwent Police. They say they are trying to stamp out anti-social behaviour by some drivers during the evenings.

PC Tony Davies, the crime and disorder reduction officer for Tredegar, said: "The main spirit of the policy is to frustrate the opportunity to go around the town in convoy."

He said groups of drivers had been meeting in the Kwik Save car park, then turning into the town centre towards the Town Clock, then returning several times.

"We thought if we introduced a no U-turn policy it would frustrate the opportunity to do just that," PC Davies added.

He said Blackwood had introduced a similar U-turn policy on town centre roundabouts. "They say they have had some success with that," he added.

Dr John Evans, clerk of Tredegar town council, said residents had been worried by the "boy racer" behaviour.

"Legitimate road users have been very worried that they will be caught up in an accident," he said.

"Now the police have told us that they are going to police this vigorously and we hope that it will make an impact."

A spokesman for Blaenau Gwent council said: "The traffic order has been introduced as an experimental order and will be reassessed during its 18 month period."

He added the traffic order would not interfere with the normal running of public bus services and highways maintenance and emergency vehicles are exempt.