Traders in a Somerset town riddled by roadworks and temporary traffic lights say their livelihoods are suffering because of the upheaval.

Shops and small businesses in Wellington claim they are losing thousands of pounds a month because of the works which are part of the development of a new supermarket in the town centre.

Two sets of temporary traffic lights have been installed in the High Street while a new Somerfield supermarket is being built. The roadside is in the process of being dug up with mini diggers, vans and lorries frequenting the town centre, causing traffic problems for motorists and hitting local businesses hard.

Anne Brummitt, owner of shoe shop Wellington Boots, said trade has slumped as a result of the work which began in July and is set to continue until Christmas.

Mrs Brummitt, who has run the shop for 20 years, said: "I've lost several thousand pounds in the last month.

"This is supposed to be our busiest period but we are suffering and so are other businesses in Wellington.

"I can't even tell you how many people phone up asking if we can post shoes out to them because they can't face coming into Wellington because the town centre is such a nightmare to face.

"It's terrible and there has been no consideration for the shops affected by the works.

Unfortunately, it seems we live in a world now where in this country, the needs of the supermarkets come first and they dominate everything.

"But I've still got wages to pay and a living to make."

Conservative parliamentary candidate Mark Formosa has been caught up in traffic problems himself and says he has been approached by a stream of residents complaining about the disruption, especially as temporary traffic lights have failed on several occasions sparking safety concerns.

Mr Formosa said: "Far too often we see instances where temporary traffic lights fail and motorists have to dice with death by running red lights to complete their journeys on time.

"It is not right that such situations can happen and nobody is held accountable. After all, these particular lights in and around Wellington are not there for the sake of the local community – they are there to help companies make millions of pounds from business developments in the area."

A Somerfield superstore has been planned for the site for several years and has been welcomed by the town as a symbol of investors' confidence in the local economy. It seemed the wait was over when developers moved onto the site in July but speculation began to surround the project after Co-op announced a Somerfield take-over bid in the summer, leaving locals wondering which store would eventually end up on the site.