ROADWORKS which have caused a day of traffic chaos are set to be suspended.

Temporary traffic lights were installed in Pilsworth Way, at the roundabout with Roach Bank Road this morning, so that work could be carried out to connect electricity to the new development at Park 66.

But, the work has caused chaos for drivers, some of whom reported sitting in traffic for more than two hours this morning, with queues backing up on the M66 as far back as the Edenfield Bypass.

The work, which is being carried out by GTC Power on Connections and was expected to take several weeks, also had a knock-on effect on vehicles trying to get onto the M66 from Bury and travelling along Pilsworth Road from Heywood.

Following a request from Bury Council in light 'of the considerable traffic problems', GTC Power on Connecions has now agreed to suspend the work.

The company's managing director Neil Fitzsimons said they would work with the council to reschedule the work, but were keen to explore whether the work could take place outside peak times.

He added: "Clearly we have underestimated the impact on the local area.

"Unfortunately, excavation work had commenced so we need to carry out reinstatement work before we can reopen the roundabout. That will be completed tomorrow afternoon.

"Any future work will be done outside peak travel times. We absolutely do not want a repeat of what happened this morning. It has had a real impact and that is something we are really sorry about.

"For the remainder of this work, we will work with the council and if that means it has to be done during the February half term then so be it."

One driver said it took her nearly two-and-a-half hours to get from her home in Accrington to work in Pilsworth this morning.

She said: "I set off at eight and did not get here until after 10. It is backed up for miles, it's horrendous.

"At one point on the M66, I did not move for 40 minutes.

"People are trying to cut in so it is going to cause an accident."

Businesses in the area say they have also been impacted by the work.

Jade Cawte, who is a manager at the Paper Mill pub in Pilsworth, said: "At the moment, we are really quiet.

"It took two members of staff two hours to get here and they only live ten minutes away."

Meanwhile, Susie Walsh told the Bury Times she had been stuck in Asda car park for 35 minutes.

She said: "It is absolutely gridlocked. There is no space for anyone to get out because people are bumper to bumper.

"People are getting frustrated because they cannot move."

The roadworks were initially due to start on Monday, but appear to have been delayed until this morning.

The multi-million pound development on the former site of the cinema and bowling alley includes Home Bargains, The Food Warehouse, Costa Coffee and KFC, and is expected to open its doors for trading later this year.