Frustrated motorists have criticised a council for carrying out roadworks on a busy road during rush hour.

East Sussex County Council began its three-day road resurfacing works on the A259 between Newhaven and Seaford yesterday morning – a project scheduled to run from 9.30am to 4.30pm every day.

But the work, which involved stop and go boards, has seemingly caused long tailbacks and delays of more than an hour, prompting criticism from drivers.

Guy Hollingworth filmed this stop-motion film of the roadworks yesterday. 

Tom Jolley, 24, from Seaford, said: “It’s taken me more than an hour to get from Newhaven to Seaford, which has made me miss work meetings. It’s ridiculous.

“I don’t see the point in doing works during rush hour. Why couldn’t they be done at night, when there are fewer drivers on the road?”

Other motorists took to social media to voice their frustration.

Alan Burr, from Seaford, said on Twitter: “East Sussex roads cock-up again, long tailbacks. Why do rush hour?”

Gary White, a DJ for Seahaven FM radio station, told his thousands of followers: “A259 is desperate. Avoid at all costs. Snail’s pace.”

East Sussex County Council said it had only received a “small number” of calls from motorists about the resurfacing work.

Roger Williams, East Sussex County Council head of highways, said: “We have received a small number of calls from motorists about the resurfacing work, which we expect to continue until Wednesday. As we’re operating a stop and go board to control traffic, we do expect there to be continuing delays while the work is completed.

“We do understand motorists’ frustration, however this is essential work which will result in a vastly improved surface and a smoother, safer journey for road users.

“In the meantime, we’d ask people to bear with us and to allow extra time for their journey.”