Drivers faced rush hour chaos on the A1 on Tyneside after roadworks on the major road overran on Tuesday morning.
Overnight roadworks on the southbound stretch between junctions 68 and 65 in Gateshead were due to end at 6am but faulty plant equipment reportedly ended up blocking the carriageway.
It meant drivers were being diverted around the blockage until around 9am, causing huge tailbacks from the Metrocentre right the way back to Seaton Burn.
A spokeswoman for National Highways said: “The A1 southbound between junctions 68 and 65 has now reopened after overnight resurfacing work on this stretch of road unfortunately overran due to unforeseen circumstances.
"Drivers are advised there is still around two miles of congestion as residual traffic clears. We apologise for the delays and thank all drivers for their patience.”
Photographs from the Denton area of the A1 show three lanes and slip roads completed at a standstill with frustrated road users unable to get moving.
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