COMMUTERS faced "nightmare" queues on a number of key routes into Worcester this morning.

Motorists blamed a combination of the temporary traffic lights on Newtown Road, ongoing roadworks on Tolladine Road and improvements to Bath Road for the gridlock.

Some eyewitnesses said the temporary lights on Newtown Road were stuck on red which caused the jams.

Katie Bradley posted on Facebook: "I was caught in this nightmare especially with dumb drivers not realising if they were cautious at the crossroads they could jump the lights...

"I also informed the police who said they were going to inform traffic management. Hope they sent a traffic cop to direct it until lights were fixed."

One commenter on the Worcester News wesite, MJI, posted: "It is getting beyond a joke, stupid roadworks everywhere, every road from Warndon Villages to town has road works on it.

"Traffic lights on Newtown Road AND Tolladine Road.

"It took me 20 minutes to get from Millwood Drive to the roundabout where Newtown Road crosses the bypass.

"What the hell are they playing at?"

Our online traffic map said: "Very slow traffic on B4636 Newtown Road both ways at Linksview Crescent.

"In the roadworks area, temporary traffic lights are causing delays."

One driver who was stuck in the gridlock said the lights had failed and this had caused the jams.

Worcestershire County Council's highways department have been asked for a comment.