Residents fed up with traffic and parking problems took to the streets at the junction of Senwick Road, Midland Road and Elsden Road in Wellingborough between 8.30am and 9am yesterday in a demonstration organised by Castle Area Road Safety Action Group (Carsag).

Twenty-six people took part, marching in a wide circle in the centre of the junction and effectively blocking three roads.

Action group chairman Allan Blackman, who lives in Midland Road, said: "Because there are so many new developments no-one is taking notice of the state the roads will be in.

"What happens is that with each development extra traffic builds up around the junction. What we really need is an eastern relief road."

Protester Roland Watts, 69, of Elsden Road, said: "I have been on about this now for 30 years, my wife is in a wheelchair and we can't get across the road to get to town unless we walk right up to the zebra crossing at the top of the road."

Michael Brooks, 28, of Midland Road, said: "There is a major issue with parking where we live. As soon as you move your car the commuters using the station will come and take your space. Then you have to park miles away and cross the road which is dangerous because of the traffic."

Gill Clayton, 34, of Midland Road, who has an 11-month-old child, said: "The traffic is an absolute nightmare, we hear all the traffic from our living room and I find it really difficult to cross the road with my little boy."

During yesterday's demonstration, protesters handed out leaflets to drivers caught in the jam, explaining their reasons and apologising for the inconvenience.

A spokesman for Wellingborough Council said: "The council is aware of the issues that Carsag are raising and has been working with them, the county council as the highways authority, and developers to try to deliver appropriate infrastructure in line with the growth in houses.

"Unfortunately in the eastern part of the town years of under-investment in roads and infrastructure has meant that there is an existing problem to resolve which will be partially solved through the implementation of Stanton Cross."

Protesters were joined by the three Castle Ward councillors and there was also a police presence at the demonstration.