ANGRY motorists have hit out after facing traffic gridlock in Wrexham.
Drivers have experienced lengthy delays on the A483 with lanes closed in both directions at junction four as work gets under way on highway safety measures.
The work is expected to last until March 28.
And in Rhosddu major roadworks have been carried out by Welsh Water on Rhosddu Road to repair the wastewater network.
Annoyed commuters have been in touch with the Leader to voice their anger at the delays.
One driver who got caught up in traffic on the A483 yesterday said: “You could see traffic building up both sides on the A483 from the Mold Road roundabout bridge.
“The Sainsbury’s roundabout was backed up leading into town so I turned off via Berse Road.
“Cars were piling out of the hospital so I went on the road where the old gipsy camp used to be only to find roadworks and more traffic lights.”
On Monday night Rachel Coleman, who works on King Street in Wrexham, spent 35 minutes trying to get across town to Sainsbury’s during rush hour, a journey which usually takes her less than 10 minutes.
“I decided to go down Chester Road because Rhosddu Road is closed again but the traffic was horrendous,” she said.
“I was queuing for 10 minutes just to get to the junction with Prices Lane, then it took 10 minutes to get from there to Rhosddu Road and another 15 to get from Stansty Bridge to the Sainsbury’s roundabout.
“You could see everyone was annoyed because they were taking silly risks like dangerous overtaking and speeding every time there was a break in the traffic.
“It’s ridiculous.”
Pat Griffiths said: “I’m a taxi driver and yesterday evening during rush hour it took me nearly half-an-hour to get from by Tesco’s to the Mold Road. The roads around Wrexham are a joke with the roadworks.”
Ashley Thompson said it took him a total of 38 minutes to get between the Sainsbury’s roundabout and the roundabout by the former Little Chef in Rhostyllen at junction three of the A483.
Meanwhile Tracy Evans added: “It took an hour yesterday morning from Plas Madoc to town. I was travelling on the Arriva Bus that left Plas Madoc at 8.20am.”
And the roadworks misery looks set to continue into next month.
Work on the A483 is expected to continue until March 28 and there will be further resurfacing works in Rhosddu on New Road with two-way traffic lights planned from Friday until March 8.
Cefn Road is due to be closed for resurfacing works from February 21 until March 15 and two-way traffic lights are planned on Holt Road for resurfacing until March 7.
John Bradbury, head of the environment department at Wrexham Council, said: “Every effort has been made to ensure that as far as possible, disruption to the road network is kept to a minimum. These are essential works and unfortunately, some delay will be inevitable during peak morning and evening rush hours. We urge motorists to consider alternative routes into town or allow additional time for their journey.
“It is also important to stress that not all the roadworks currently taking place are being carried out by Wrexham Council.”
A Welsh Water spokesman said: “We are carrying out essential repair work to our wastewater network on Rhosddu Road.
“The work is expected to be completed this week.
“We appreciate work such as this can cause inconvenience but we would like to thank people for bearing with us during this time.”