The closure of a busy road between a Stockport village and Manchester is causing 'total and utter chaos' just a day in, drivers say.
Manchester Road, which runs from Cheadle into neighbouring Didsbury, has been closed in one direction, as part of work to change the layout of its junction with Stockport Road, since Monday.
It means motorists cannot access Cheadle village from the direction of Parrs Wood.
Instead, people have to use other already busy routes, including the A34.
Drivers have reported severe disruption as a result of the work, which is expected to last five weeks.
People have reported long delays and say the roadworks have caused 'gridlock' in Cheadle, with traffic backing up as far as Gatley and Roscoes roundabout on the A650.
Others say signs warning about the closure are not clear or prominent enough and that large numbers of drivers have been carrying out U-turns after discovering the road is blocked off too late.
Stockport council says some people are merely 'ignoring' signs - and says it has worked hard to minimise disruption.
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Kate Weir, who lives in Cheadle, said: "The scenes last night at the bottom of Manchester Road and then backing up along Stockport Road and the High Street towards both Gatley and Edgeley can only be described as chaos.
"What signs there are at the Parrs Wood end of Manchester Road were too small and unclear - they said road ahead closed, but didn't say which road or, more crucially, that there was no access to Cheadle village and instead to use the A34.
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"As a result, drivers were continuing on to Cheadle, only to have to do U-turns at the Alexandra Hospital.
"This didn't happen a few times - it happened dozens, if not hundreds, of times. I don't use the words lightly but it was total and utter chaos and entirely preventable.
"Yes, the junction needs a crossing, but why the work can't be done with less disruption? Or at least over the summer holidays when the roads are quiet.
"The signs that have gone up are confusingly written.
"I can't see how residents and business can cope with another five weeks of this carnage.
"We're already poorly served by public transport in Cheadle - we have no trains or trams and the last bus leaves Manchester at about 6.30pm.
"It means that for most people using a car is their only reliable way of getting around. So to see the area brought to a standstill by 'planned' roadworks is beyond words."
The work was meant to start on April 15, during the Easter school holidays, but was delayed by 'engineering difficulties' with the diversion of utilities.
Caroline Simpson, 'director of place' at Stockport council, said: “The roadworks are part of a larger programme of works to improve our highways which, when completed, will relieve congestion, boost road safety and generally improve people’s journeys.
“Signs are in place on the A34 and vicinity advising motorist of the closure. However, some drivers have chosen to ignore the signs and we would urge them to follow the diversion signs or make alternative arrangements.
“We have worked hard to ensure that the impact of the construction work to local residents is kept to a minimum and would like to thank them for their patience while the work is being carried out.”
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