GAS works are causing misery for motorists on a busy Worcester road.

Three-way traffic lights have this week been set up at the busy junction with Henwick Road, at the main entrance to the University of Worcester, just as students return for the start of the new term.

And they have been causing delays for drivers, particularly during rush hour periods when queues heading out of the city have been stretching back beyond Tybridge Street.

One frustrated motorist told your Worcester News the traffic lights are “causing chaos”.

“Hylton Road must be the most worked upon street in Britain,” he said. “The traffic is bad enough anyway but something like this, especially with the timing at the start of the university term, makes it gridlock.

“Even at quiet times it is causing delays and it is much worse during rush hour. It is taking at least 15 minutes to get through the tailbacks and buses cannot get through so everything ends up running late.”

National Grid has been carrying out major gas main replacement work along Hylton Road for several months.

Spokesman Jane Taylor said the latest disruption was unplanned and that crews were not expecting any further problems for traffic.

“We are now at the final stage of the job and they had hoped to be able to complete the work without any further disruption to traffic,” she said. “But unfortunately due to the position of the main that was not possible.

“It was not something that was planned from the start of the job.”

She added that it is hoped the work will be complete by the end of the weekend.

“All going well the lights should be gone at the start of next week,” she said. “That will be the end of the whole job along Hylton Road.”