ANGRY drivers have bombarded the St Helens Star this week with calls blasting the new Traffic flow in St Helens town centre, branding the new system as "a confusing mess with no clear signs".

Sharon Heyes, a mum of two from Sutton Manor, was being taken home from work when her husband's car was stopped by a policeman outside the Prudential buildings in Victoria Square, an area now restricted to buses, black cabs and bicycles.

She said: "We had been travelling behind a bus and didn't see the sign until it was too late. But despite this, the policeman fined us £20 and was really rude and abrupt as well. I have been informed that this sign has only been up for a week and I think it is really unfair."

A Rainford man, who doesn't wish to be named, was also stopped and fined. He told the Star: "I had just come out of the Hardshaw Centre car park and turned left as it is a one way street. I was on my way back to Rainford to pick my two children up from school. I couldn't believe it when the policeman gave me a ticket.

"When I asked how long the road had been off limits, he said three months but I certainly don't remember anything about it and if there were any traffic signs they weren't very clear. To add insult to injury, while I was getting my ticket, the policeman let at least 10 other cars go through. Why weren't they stopped as well?" He added: "This new system is getting ridiculous. It is just a mess and really confusing for motorists, not to mention adding miles on to any journey you make into and out of town."

However, a spokeswoman for St Helens Council denied allegations that no signs had been erected. She said: "The road changes have now been in operation since January when the new signs were put up. These are visible, it is simply a question of motorists getting used to them and the new system, which allows buses, cyclists and taxis through the road but not cars, which have to make a right turn. The changes were also announced in advance through the local press and it is now a matter for the police to ensure the restrictions are followed."

PC Andy McKay of Merseyside Traffic Police, added: "As with any major road changes, there is usually a period of grace in which cautions are issued to motorists. However, this does not seem to have had much effect and as a result, we are now imposing fines on motorists who do not follow the restrictions. It is basically a road safety issue. The area is now pedestrianised and the continuing volume of restricted traffic still using the road could prove a danger.