THE first week of work to replace 30-year-old traffic lights on the A39 at Dunster Steep has resulted in what angry motorists described as ‘absolute chaos’ as the temporary lights system caused traffic jams up to six miles long.

Work started on Monday (January 5) to replace the lights with a modern system which also involves new ducting and wiring and resurfacing the road.

The completion date is now May, a month later than originally estimated.

Within hours, traffic was in chaos and since then tailbacks have regularly spread from Minehead as far as six miles to Bilbrook.

Williton electrical contractor John Barton said: “I was 40 minutes late for an important appointment.

“The gridlock started west of Carhampton and went to beyond the Ellicombe roundabout.

“And this was not even in the rush hour.

“When we got to the temporary lights there was not a sign of anybody doing anything.”

Van driver Colin Winterborne said: “I made the mistake of turning on to the minor road that runs from Dunster to Ellicombe and found it jammed solid with vehicles which also were trying to skirt around the jam.

“I was virtually stationary for almost an hour.”

Leaving Minehead for Watchet on Tuesday, accountant Joyce Redman said: “I met a solid wall of traffic queuing back from West Somerset College.”

First Bus has warned passengers of problems with the No 28 Minehead to Taunton service because the temporary lights were causing heavy delays.

Motorists contacting the Free Press complained the delays had meant problems meeting children from school, missing hospital and dental appointments, and business meetings.

One woman driver said: “It is like having the Dunster Show traffic congestion every day.”

Contractors Centregreat, carrying out the work for Somerset Council, was approached for a comment but had yet to reply.