A row has erupted over who is to blame for ongoing traffic chaos in Harringay.

Drivers are frequently left queuing to get into or out of the Arena Shopping Centre in Green Lanes due to the poor layout of the entrances on Williamson Road and traffic lights in Green Lanes.

Since March, Haringey Council has been trying to broker a deal between landowners Sainsbury’s and Wildmoor Properties to fix the problems.

However the council has now launched an attack on the two companies, who jointly manage the property, claiming they have still not reached an agreement to change the traffic flow and ease congestion.

Cabinet member for environment and conservation, Councillor Brian Haley, said: "We made it clear all along that we felt a package of measures was necessary to tackle this congestion effectively. I am convinced in the run up to Christmas there will be even more traffic, more congestion and more frustration for motorists.

"I would urge Sainsbury's and Wildmoor to settle their differences as soon as possible to prevent more misery being heaped on motorists in this area over the coming weeks."

Sainsbury's has already submitted a planning application for changes to the traffic flow on Williamson Road, which runs through the shopping park, but the council says this will not be resolved in time for Christmas chaos and not enough.

But both companies have hit back at the council's finger pointing and insist they have been working for more than a year to solve the problem.

Sue Willcox, head of town planning and transportation for Sainsbury’s said: "We are very disappointed that Haringey Council has chosen to blame us for the delay in reaching an agreement on a highways solution in Williamson Road.

"We know that our customers are suffering due to the congestion and have been pressing hard to resolve the issues for over a year.

"Everyone recognises that no single measure will cure the congestion and Sainsbury’s has worked relentlessly with all parties, and provided additional funding, to help formulate a package of improvements which will benefit all users of the site.

"We have already submitted a planning application for such improvements and continue to be in regular contact with the Council and Wildmoor Properties to try and progress works at the earliest opportunity."

Richard Jones, development director at Wildmoor Properties, who represent the interests of 10 stores on site, said: “We are working with Sainsbury’s as an alliance to sort out the problem as best we can. We are considering a number of options.

"We object strongly to the notion that we are the cause of the problem.

“It is very busy there and Haringey Council do seem to want to place blame and say we are not co-operating. We are, but we are not rolling over.

"We are long term investors in Haringey and we will be for a long time.”