ROADWORKS are causing chaos down a busy Worcester road - all because foolish drivers keep on ignoring the closure signs.

Today signalled the start of the closure of Sansome Walk until mid-November in a mammoth £1 million Severn Trent project to replace ageing pipes.

But no sooner had the 'road closed' signs gone up, motorists started to ignore them and attempt to drive on.

Because no diversions are in place cars were spotted frantically turning around and heading down a one-way street towards St Mary's Street, causing what nearby residents say were "tons of near misses" with incoming cars.

Your Worcester News was contacted by workers based in offices near the site today, saying the driver's actions were "dangerous".

One office worker, who did not want to be named, said: "It wasn't just one driver, it was going on car after car.

"Every time I looked out the window I saw drivers completely ignoring the signs and carrying on, it was absolute chaos.

"They kept on reaching the end of the road and you could see them thinking 'what do I do now?'.

"Lots of them were turning back and going straight up St Mary's Street, which is a one-way route.

"It's been going on all day, it's dangerous."

Worcestershire County Council has urged drivers not to ignore the 'road closed' signs.

Sansome Walk near the Arboretum is part of the city's one-way system, taking traffic from the Tything to Sansome Street and onto Lowesmoor or City Walls Road.

During peak periods it gets heavily congested.

John Smith, cabinet member for highways said: "There are clear temporary signs in place advising of the road closure and diversion routes, however it appears that some motorists are ignoring signs and attempting to access Sansome Walk.

"We would advise drivers to pay careful attention to the signage."

Severn Trent's work will last until around mid-November, the final phase of its work to prevent burst water pipes in the city centre.

During the work National Grid will also be taking the opportunity to replace gas pipes in Sansome Walk.