NEWPORT'S traffic chaos is spreading, with roadworks on the city's outskirts now clogging two main roads, two motorway junctions - and driving locals to despair.

Furious businesses in Bassaleg say they could be driven to the brink by five weeks of roadworks which are taking place in the village.

The huge queues which build up at rush hour are causing jams which bring junctions 27 and 28 on the motorway to a standstill.

The tailbacks are also stretching back to the Pont Ebbw roundabout and peak times, causing even more problems in an area where construction of the Southern Distributor Road is already creating jams.

Work on the main drains in Bassaleg are causing long rush hour tailbacks on Forge Lane and Caerphilly Road - and businesses there say their trade collapsed within hours of the temporary traffic lights going up this week.

Some angry motorists say they have been caught up in queues around the village for up to an hour.

The roadworks will last five weeks, as Welsh Water carries out a 12-week improvement scheme.

Village postmistress Patricia Blake told the Argus: "These works are really affecting businesses on this road. No one will stop at the post office now." Murad Ali opened Bassaleg Pharmacy a month ago.

He said: "I've put everything I have into it - now they say the roadworks will last five weeks. God knows whether I will still be in business by then!" l Full story: page 7