New roadworks in South Staffordshire created delays for motorists today.

Part of the main commuter route, the A460 Wolverhampton Road at its junction with Dark Lane at Middle Hill, near Featherstone, has been dug-up on the southbound side leaving the road reduced to one lane at a busy four way intersection with traffic lights.

South Staffordshire Water is carrying out works on Dark Lane, leading to Cheslyn Hay, which has been closed off. But it has led to such chaos on the roads that highways bosses re-opened the section on the main road between Wolverhampton and Cannock today to prevent further problems with the works – due to last a week.

This morning northbound traffic was queueing past Junction 1 of the M54 and, southbound, beyond the T8 junction of the M6 Toll. Kay Sanderson, aged 28, a receptionist from Wolverhampton who works in Hednesford, said: “It is really frustrating.

“I got caught up in it last night so I left 15 minutes early this morning but was still late for work.

“The worst thing is, there was no evidence of any workmen, either yesterday afternoon or this morning.

“You would think every effort would be made to minimise disruption on such a busy route which links to the M6, the toll road and the M54 and is the main route into Wolverhampton.”

Martin White, 50, an office worker from Abbots Bromley, was annoyed at the apparent lack of activity as he made his way into work in Wolverhampton. He said: “I could see there were long tailbacks but there really wasn’t any way of avoiding the traffic. It put a good 20 minutes on my journey and it was really frustrating to finally arrive at the roadworks and see no one there.

“There was a van parked up towards Coven but no sign of any work being done. Cars were turning round and heading back where they came from, trying to find an alternative route.”

County council spokeswoman Tamsin Carr said: “Part of the A460 was coned-off for essential pipe works and to allow workers to use the pavement to move pipes but we are aware this has caused massive problems so a decision has been taking to re-open that lane fully and remove the temporary lights. That will hopefully be done before afternoon rush hour.”