Frustrated Winchester traders are blaming falling profits on a series of county council roadworks.

The worst bottleneck has been the City Road junction near the railway station, where three month road closures have all but paralysed traffic at peak times.

County executive member for the environment, Keith Estlin, is now asking for more time to finish the job.

"We're taking steps to limit the impact as far as we're able, and would ask people to bear with us for a few weeks longer while the work is completed.

"We recognise this time of year is an important one for traders and we want to encourage as many people as possible to do their Christmas shopping in the city," he said.

Former Winchester town crier, Alan Kinge, proprietor of Lion Models in the Kings Walk, says roadworks are hitting his sales.

"It's cost me around £2,000 in turnover," he claimed. "The shops are not having a good time," he said.

Mr Kinge feels the council ignores Winchester traders and residents, and uses the city to "experiment" with transport policies.

He added: "I have every respect for the bus drivers. They're working miracles to keep the services running.

"There's a horrible smell emanating from the county hall in terms of their attitude to the roadworks and the people of this city, and I doubt if a 50-gallon drum of disinfectant could get rid of it."

Spencer Day is the owner of QD's discount store in the High Street, and has traded in Winchester for four years.

He said: "You won't find a better little town than Winchester, but if you have to sit in traffic for an hour to get here, you're just going to drive straight by on the motorway."

Mr Day said the new shopping complex in Basingstoke, Festival Place, could pull customers away from Winchester.

Alexander Edwards, who owns Cadogan and James, in The Square, said: "I can't see why the council has to do all the roadworks at once.

"Business is suffering so they're biting the hand that feeds them. They should stop spending money on the roadworks and reduce our council tax."

To persuade shoppers back the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester City Centre Partnership is launching an advertising campaign.

Said partnership city centre manager, Graham Love: "We appreciate that traffic can be heavy at peak times but otherwise getting into and around Winchester is not a problem."

The city council is hoping its traditional Christmas gift of free parking will encourage motorists back to Winchester.

Free parking will be available every Saturday until Christmas at the Tower Street car park.

There is also free parking at all council car parks, except Colebrook Street, after 4pm on Thursday, December 5th, Thursday, December 12th, and every day from Tuesday, December 17th to Christmas Eve inclusive.