Motorists faced rush-hour chaos today as a Mid Wales town’s long-awaited one-way system finally opened, causing delays and sparking fears from traders about the impact it would have on business.

Council chiefs worked through the night to ensure the system in Welshpool was ready to open this morning and to iron out any problems. But motorists said they were confused by the layout.

And one shop owner said he feared the system could put him out of business.

Steph Wood, owner of Border Mobility in Church Street, said traffic had been gridlocked outside his shop.

He feared it would hamper deliveries and stop customers from going to his store.

He said: “I cannot believe what has happened. Since I got here traffic has barely been moving, I have no idea how my deliveries will be made, because it would hold up the entire system.

“Because the vast majority of my customers are disabled they often need to park outside the shop and they are not going to be able to do that, either.

“In these recessionary times councils should be doing all they can to help businesses, but this could put me out of business. I have one entrance on the road and that is it, my whole business depends on it.”

Meanwhile, Tommy Lloyd, from Welshpool, added: “It is so confusing for motorists. It has caused hold-ups and a right headache.”

The system takes traffic through Church Street car park, Church Street, Broad Street and Jehu Road.

Robert Robinson, town clerk, said: “We had some problems this morning with the length of time the lights were green at the Cross for those coming from Church Street.

“This was identified and they are now manually operated until later today when the proper lights come into being and will allow enough time for the Church Street vehicles to get through without much queue.

“When Mill Lane opens this will be much better. Also the second lane will open in a week which will disperse cars even quicker.”

He added: “I am sorry people had to queue this morning for a while during the early rush hour period when the lights were out of phase.

“They are OK now and tomorrow should be fine.”

By Andrew Morris