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Security measures ahead of next month’s Nato summit are causing rush-hour traffic chaos in Cardiff - three weeks before the conference starts.

Motorists have been venting their frustration on social media as preparations for the upcoming summit cause serious congestion.

Drivers travelling into Cardiff on Monday morning complained of a ‘nightmare commute’ and said the work had brought the roads to a standstill during peak hour.

A large security fence is being constructed around two city centre venues - Cardiff Castle and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama - and through Bute Park for working dinners to be held on the first evening of the Nato Summit.

Construction of part of the fence along North Road in the city centre caused disruption amongst motorists during Monday’s peak hour.

On Twitter, drivers were vocal about the annoyance. Debs Harding tweeted: “Epically bad traffic in Cardiff this morning - North Road is down to one lane as Nato barriers have gone up. Avoid if you can.”

Laura Buchan said: “Roads clogged up around Cardiff already and it’s still more than two weeks till the Nato Summit. Nightmare commute.”

Annliz was also unhappy: “Stuck in traffic. Complete standstill. Fences and diversions for an entire month because of Nato Summit. Great!”

Several users complained about long delays to their daily commute. Simon Mohammad tweeted: “30 mins. Gabalfa Flyover to Maindy Pool. This is going to be a tough couple of weeks in Cardiff.”

Twitter user Cheryl added: “Uh oh, looks like the Nato Summit is already causing chaos in Cardiff. It’s just taken a colleague 40 minutes to get in from Canton.“

A statement from Cardiff Council said: “This fence line has started to be built in Bute Park on August 7th, and will begin to be built on the A470/North Road during the night time of August 15th to the 21st, with the entire structure in place by August 22nd.

"This will involve night time closures to allow the fence to be put up.

"From August 22 until September 12, traffic restrictions with diversion routes will be in place due to a security fence being erected.

“In summary, from the North, there will be a single lane inbound on North Road from junction with Column Road, onto Kingsway, Duke Street, Castle Street, across Castle Street Bridge and Cowbridge Road East to junction with Cathedral Road.

“From the West, two lanes will be in place from the junction with Cathedral Road (narrowing to one lane to go through the outer cordon and widening out again), inbound along Cowbridge Road East, Castle Street Bridge, Castle Street, Kingsway onto North Road (narrowing to one lane to go through outer cordon) at the junction with Corbett Road. There are no right turns into Westgate Street, from Kingsway into Greyfriars Road and from Kingsway/North Road into Boulevard De Nantes.

“From the East – road narrowing to one lane on Boulevard De Nantes, left and right turn still available. All vehicles exiting the Kingsway, Queen Street, St John Street, High Street, Womanby Street and Westgate Street will only be able to make a left turn.

“The Council advise the public to use the park and ride facilities at Pentwyn and Leckwith, or public transport. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption as best as possible. If you have a planned appointment, we suggest you should allow additional time for your journey.”

A number of Cardiff bus routes have also been affected by the Nato Summit. Temporary changes to timetables came into effect on the weekend.

Among the services significantly affected are routes 8, 9, 21, 28, 54 and 95 among others.

For a full list of bus changes visit cardiffbus.com