TRAFFIC chaos hit Worcester yesterday due to roadworks taking place in the city.

Two lanes were shut on New Road as workers re-marked lines outside Worcestershire County Cricket Club while a match took place.

Meanwhile, traffic was backed up to the Oak Apple pub on London Road yesterday lunchtime while the traffic lights at the Sidbury end were being repaired. The work was finished by 4.30pm.

Driver Geraldine Hureau, who added at least 25 minutes to her journey from London Road to Hylton Road at lunchtime,,said: “It was as bad as when the snow came down in the winter. It seemed to clear by the cathedral, but then got worse again.

“I come to Worcester quite a bit but it has never taken me that long.”

Part of two of the three lanes along New Road were closed after rush hour yesterday morning while lines for new speed cameras were painted – making it difficult for people to get to Worcestershire County Cricket Club, where the home side were playing Derbyshire in the LV= County Championship. The road re-marking took place right outside the main entrance to the club.

About 1,000 people attended the game yesterday, with about 250 parking in the car park.

Club chief executive Mark Newton said: “Somebody, somewhere should have thought, middle of the summer, there might be a cricket match on.

“It is frustrating more than anything else. We will just have to live with it. They turned up this morning with no notice and started work.

“The are re-marking the lines right outside the main entrance, so I suspect a few people will be late.”

Meanwhile, a meet took place at Worcester Racecourse yesterday evening, but organisers said it was not affected by congestion.

Tom Comerford, Worcestershire County Council’s highways liaison officer for Worcester, said: “A tremendous amount of work is being carried out in Worcester over the week and we have attempted to plan around events and peak times whenever possible to minimise disruption to motorists.

“In this case, we have opted to avoid morning and afternoon rush hours plus heavy traffic going to a race meeting later this evening. Although not ideal timing, the line re-marking along New Road is connected with road safety and should be completed within an hour.”