ROADWORKS on a major route into Bolton caused traffic chaos for thousands of motorists over the weekend.

Motorists were stuck in miles of traffic jams in Astley Bridge after the carriageway of Moss Bank Way and Blackburn Road was reduced to one lane because of work being carried out by water provider United Utilities.

It took some motorists more than one hour to travel just under two miles from Egerton to the junction during the morning rush hour period because of the roadworks.

There was no right turn from Blackburn Road southbound to Moss Bank Way, and diversions have been in operation while the work was taking place.

Motorists have slammed United Utilities for not getting the work completed before the start of the working week.

It was expected that work would be completed last Sunday.

Motorist Christine Eccles, said it took one hour and nine minutes to travel under two miles from her home in Egerton to the affected junction yesterday morning.

Her journey normally takes 15 minutes from her home to Bolton College on Manchester Road.

She said: "It was absolute chaos. Cars were bumper to bumper for miles. It was the first day back at college and I set off at 8.15am because I wanted to get to work early. But I arrived at 9.30am, late for work."

A spokesman for United Utilities, said: "We had planned to do the work over the weekend but we did agree with Bolton Council that we would do the final part of the work on Monday morning."

A spokeswoman for Bolton Council said that work was due to have been completed last night.