TRAFFIC engineers may bring in hi-tech solutions to deal with traffic congestion near Chester's bingo roundabout.

The junction from hell scenario is brought about by a combination of drivers illegally using the short bus lane from the roundabout to Frodsham Street and cars queuing into Tesco's multi-storey car park.

And road rage builds up when shoppers waiting to turn into Tesco's block the junction to prevent drivers who have taken a short cut up the bus lane jumping to the head of the queue.

The difficulties emerged at a Town Hall meeting of Chester's highway chiefs which was discussing whether to allow private hire drivers to use bus lanes in the city.

Principal traffic engineer John Gamlen suggested the move 'would cause us a lot of problems, particularly at Tesco's where we are already struggling to deal with the conditions there'.

Mr Gamlen revealed that teams of police officers and traffic wardens have been issuing tickets at Cow Lane bridge and motorists have even been taken to court but this has not had any effect.

'Drivers simply block the yellow box junction to prevent others getting through,' he said.

And he revealed that measures which are being considered to improve policing of the bus lane could include the fitting of transponders to buses which would open a barrier allowing them through.