MOVES to tackle the parking, traffic and transport challenges of an estimated 235,000 shoppers flocking to Eden's opening week were revealed this week.

New traffic light systems at six major junctions surrounding the new shopping and leisure centre were due to be switched on last night, with Lily's Walk reopening as a two-way road.

The intelligent' lights, which set their own timing by monitoring traffic flowing past them, have proved temperamental at Handy Cross roundabout.

Valerie Letheren, Buckinghamshire County Council cabinet member for transportation, said: "We've invested £5million in improving road infrastructure. As a resident of High Wycombe, I want to see it working."

She said although new traffic lights at Handy Cross had been disappointing, she was confident the result would be better in the town centre.

Daniel Tomkinson, Eden centre manager, said: "It's going to be busy - we want it to be busy. We're aiming for rush hour levels of traffic where it's busy but moving to get people to their destinations."

Traffic police officers will be at Handy Cross and in the town centre during the first opening weekend, communicating with traffic engineers in control centres at High Wycombe and Reading. Around 50,000 shoppers are expected visit to Eden each week after it opens on March 13.

Wycombe District Council leader Leslie Clarke played down fears of parking chaos, saying 4,954 town centre spaces - up by 800 since 2004 - were adequate.

She said: "I don't believe that parking is going to be the issue that everyone thinks it's going to be."

Staff and customers are being strongly encouraged to use public transport to get to and from the multi-million pound complex.