Ambulances have been delayed along Belle Vue Lane

The lights which have been put up at one of the major entrances into the city centre are causing major build-ups of traffic.

Ambulances leaving the Royal Gwent Hospital via the Belle Vue Lane exit are being caught in the queues and are being delayed on calls.

People living nearby have said they are furious about the effects the new lights are having on the emergency services and the traffic congestion they cause.

Richard Dawes, who runs a newsagent shop on the junction, said that the new lights are the talk of the shop.

"It is absolutely ridiculous," he said.

Congestion is one of the many hazards the ambulance service has to face whilst responding to emergency calls George Murphy, Welsh Ambulance Service

"By putting up these traffic lights they have created traffic jams where there weren't problems before.

"Everyone who comes in here talks about it and how it seems to have made things much worse.

"The queues never seem to stop because the lights don't allow enough traffic through.

"I have seen ambulances with blue lights coming down Belle Vue Lane and not being able to move because there is too much traffic.

"There is strong public feeling about these lights and, on the whole, people want the roundabout back." he added.

Retired ambulance worker David Marsh agreed.

Richard Dawes wants the old roundabout reinstalled

"During the 30-years I worked with the emergency services, I never saw things so bad here," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said staff had encountered some delays because of the increased build-up in traffic since the lights were put up.

But she said the service was liaising with Newport Council about their concerns.

George Murphy, the regional ambulance officer for the south east region, said: "Congestion is one of the many hazards the ambulance service has to face whilst responding to emergency calls.

"However, if the congestion were caused by increased safety measures such as traffic lights at dangerous junctions, the potential gain for the whole of the community would outweigh any minor delays the ambulance service would encounter.

"Emergency ambulances do use the bus lanes if necessary and when responding to a 999 call would always endeavour to take the shortest available route in the safest way possible," he added.

People are blaming the build up of traffic on the new lights

Newport Council have said that the new lights were introduced as part of safety measures and that there were no plans to reinstate the roundabout.

Councillor Graham Dally, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainable Development said: "We are currently undertaking a significant programme of work to address the issue of road conditions, congestion and road safety for the long-term improvement of the transport infrastructure in Newport.

"This work is absolutely essential to the city as there is a great deal that needs to be done following a prolonged period of under funding.

"Whilst in the short-term the work may cause difficulties for road users, we have little choice but to carry out the work if we are to achieve the long-term aims of keeping traffic in Newport flowing and ensuring that standards and safety on roads are improved."