DRIVERS are experiencing chaotic commutes on a major through-road and problems will continue until December.

Motorists have been hit with a lane closure in St Peter’s Way (A666) at the same time as a 40mph speed restriction which has been in place for months.

The reduction of the dual carriageway to a single lane on the southbound route leading towards the M60 is causing chaos for commuters.

It comes as engineers from Network Rail remove a temporary sliproad which was used to bring in large vehicles to a site near Moses Gate station during the recent rail electrification works.

At rush hour, motorists are experiencing queues and tailbacks between the A575/Manchester Road approaching Moses Gate and the M61 at Kearsley roundabout.

Commuters took to social media to vent their frustration.

Resident Shean Summerfield‎ posted on the Bromley Cross Notice Board Facebook page said: “A666 down to one lane half a mile before the Kearsley turn off. Tail backs at 6.15am. Leave for work early. Happy Monday.”

Mel Johnson added: “We went down the A666 at the weekend and they have put up a metal barrier so it looks like it’s work they are doing and will probably be up a while.”

Another angry commuter said: “It was like that when I went to work on Sunday at 7am. Nice of them to give everyone warning.”

The half-mile lane closure was introduced at the weekend, with cones and a metal barrier installed.

A spokesman for Network Rail, said: "We thank motorists for their patience while we permanently close a railway access road on the A666. To complete the work safely lane closures are needed until early December.

"Cones and barriers have been put in place so the changes to the road layout are clear to road users before work starts this weekend.”

The access road was opened when engineers began work on the electrification of the railway through Bolton. Heavy machinery was needed to complete the work but there were concerns about bringing the large vehicles through residential streets.

It now needs to be closed so that St Peters Way can be "reinstated" without any additional exits.

Meanwhile, drivers had already been dealing with delays since a Bolton Council traffic order in May 2018 reduced speeds from 50mph to 40mph. This will remain in place until summer 2020.