Motorists experienced traffic chaos when a road was closed for emergency work. 

The B3162 was closed between Dottery and Salwayash on Tuesday while Wessex Water carried out repairs to a sewer inspection chamber.

Frustrated drivers, who were advised to find alternative routes, said they experienced gridlock as engineers carried out the repairs. 

One motorist said: "It disrupted my usual journey to work as the detour added 25 minutes to my journey time.

"I opted to go via Beaminster and Broadwindsor and was pleased I did - my colleagues travelled along Ash Lane or via Netherbury, a shorter route, and experienced traffic jams and gridlock, making them late for work."

Many took to social media to express their anger, saying it was chaotic and poorly signed.

Work was expected to take two days, with the road reopening on Thursday, but a spokesman for Wessex Water said staff worked extended hours to repair the inspection chamber and it reopened last night.

The spokesman said: "We’d like to thank residents and road users for their patience while we carried out these emergency repairs.

“We’re sorry for any disruption or inconvenience.”

Further down the same stretch of road, at Dottery, there is traffic control as Dorset Council replaces road signs.

Delays are likely and work is expected to be completed by tomorrow.