Drivers are ignoring a 'no entry' sign which was put up to stop a road in Redland being used as a rat-run.

Resident Paul Swan says pedestrians are being taken by surprise when crossing Grove Road because they are not expecting vehicles to be travelling from the direction of Redland Hill.

He says the sign has also led to traffic congestion in Redland Hill caused by drivers heading towards the top of Whiteladies Road but unable to use Grove Road or Lower Redland Road, which is one-way.

The sign was put up last year as an 'environmental improvement' partly paid for by the developers of Malvern Court, eight town houses and 28 apartments off Grove Road completed in 2006.

The sign was requested by residents to prevent the road being used as a rat run between Redland Hill and Whiteladies Road.

However, it is understood that although many residents backed the idea, an equal proportion of residents wanted the road to be left as it was.

Mr Swan, who works for a pharmaceutical company, says he has noticed motorists ignoring the 'no entry' sign when he is walking to the Downs with his dogs.

He said: "My wife always tells me off because I end up shouting at people who are flouting the law."

Mr Swan, who lives in Lower Redland Road, says there are big queues of traffic on Redland Hill at most times of the day.

He said: "The traffic congestion is definitely a lot worse than it used to be. In the morning and early afternoon and evening, traffic is just sitting there.

"I've experienced the decision to put the sign up from both sides of the fence. As a motorist you are stuck in a queue and as a pedestrian there's the extra pollution and the danger of being hit by drivers breaking the law."

Kate Hartas, spokeswoman for Bristol City Council, said: "In response to local complaints about rat-running, the council sought views on implementing an environmental improvement scheme.

"Consultation highlighted the fact that some residents were in favour of a scheme significantly limiting access, whereas others would prefer to see nothing at all.

"The council's final scheme sought to address the issues for those concerned about rat-running, whilst respecting as far as possible the concerns of residents who feared a scheme would be too restrictive. Any road user who ignores a no entry sign is guilty of a traffic offence."