Residents and businesses in a Cornish town say traffic has "become worse" since a major upgrade to the A30 was completed earlier this year.
The Mayor of Hayle said some residents said they feel like "prisoners in their own homes" during peak times.
Cornwall Council says it is "carrying out research" to assess the wider impact of the new dual carriageway stretch between Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross.
National Highways "acknowledges a consideration for improvements" but said any upgrade to the A30 at Hayle would depend on future funding priorities.
'Prisoners in own homes'
Since the upgrade work was completed, the Loggan's Moor roundabout at Hayle is the first drivers come to if travelling on the A30 from the east.
Hayle's Mayor June Lawrenson-Reid said: "There have been problems on the road for a few years in the summertime but it's exceptionally noticeable since the start of the summer.
"People in the town are really having difficulty in the summer and some of them feel like prisoners in their own homes , they can't get out.
"Although an upgrade to the Hayle by-pass is a long way off, in the short term we'll have to consider restrictions on lorries."
People in Hayle said traffic has been busier on the A30 approaching the roundabout but also through the town and on back roads.
Peter Channon, who is the Cornwall Councillor for Hayle West, said: "It's now getting gridlocked on a regular basis, regardless of the weather and not just at the peak holiday times.
"It's causing a drop in business for the area... the roads leading to Hayle and the back roads are packed.
"People are trying to avoid the area, they're trying to by-pass the by-pass."
Nikki Vincent works as a flower delivery driver for The Big Pink Tree florist in the town.
"The roads in and out of Hayle have been horrendous all summer," she said.
"You have to take all the back roads to try to avoid the traffic but the locals use them too so they get blocked up too"
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: "While the A30 is a National Highways road, we are carrying out research at Loggans Moor to understand how travel habits have changed over recent years and the impact on the junction of various factors, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and opening of the dual carriageway between Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross."
In a statement National Highways said it would continue to engage with the council, adding: “Our initial Route Strategy acknowledges a consideration for improvements around the Hayle area.
"Future action will depend on funding and priorities set out by central government in their next road investment period (2025 to 2030), and local stakeholders and communities will be kept informed on any progress.”
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