MOTORISTS have hit out at 'diabolical' roadworks that are causing 'horrendous' delays in Bridport.

Works at Broomhills Farm on the A35 have caused huge tailbacks between Eype and the Mitsubishi Roundabout - with drivers slamming the timing of the disruption.

Colin Sparkes, a former civil engineer, has criticised the length of the 'chaos'.

"I really don't understand why it is taking so long to complete" said Mr Sparkes. "It was obvious that it was going to create serious problems during the holiday season. It's just bad organisation.

"Chaos on the A35 at the construction site at Broomhills has gone on far too long. 

"The traffic problems are diabolical. It's just awful and it is such bad timing."

The works are creating access to the new £8m waste centre site and are expected to continue until the middle of July. 

Local resident David Smith said: "We shouldn't have all this stationary traffic on this part of the road."

"The congestion really is horrendous. I live right by it, so I can constantly hear it and it's a nightmare for people to get anywhere."

Bridport Mayor Sandra Brown also agreed the roadworks were causing a lot of problems in the town.

Cllr Brown said: "I think it's causing a lot of tailbacks in the town, and I will be very pleased when it's completed. 

"They have got to do the work, it's got to be done so we have to just wait until it's done.

"It's very unfortunate timing, and the sooner it's done the better."

Martin Cox, managing director of West Dorset Leisure Holidays, is concerned the works are taking place so close to the busy summer holidays.

"I appreciate the job has to be done safely" he said.

"It would have been nice if local businesses had been made aware of how long the roadworks were to last for, so we could have told our customers to make arrangements.

"People arriving have been a bit frustrated about it. No-one likes roadworks in the summer but I don't really get why they didn't get the junction done earlier on in the process."

Mr Cox also raised questions about why traffic lights were not taken away from Friday to Monday last weekend - something that Dorset County Council are tackling this weekend.

A Dorset County Council spokesman said: "In response to increased traffic this week, we have agreed with the contractor to remove the traffic lights and revert to two-way traffic from after the morning peak on Friday until Monday. 

"Cones will remain in place over the weekend to guide traffic.

"The traffic lights will be back on next week while we carry out resurfacing but we expect to be able to take them off again next weekend. We are due to complete work on the junction by Monday July, 13, as agreed with Highways England."