There were queues of around four miles as motorists faced the first of four weekend A27 closures.

People who decided against the advised diversion faced hour-long queues on the A259 between Shoreham and Worthing.

National Highways said people should take the A24 and then A283 towards Steyning to get back on to the A27 just beyond the Shoreham Bypass where the work was taking place.

Workers were finishing off drainage, installing ducting for cables across the carriageway and laying the final road surface.

The Argus: Cars driving on Friday before the road closureCars driving on Friday before the road closure (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Queues were around four miles long from the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham to Windsor Road in Worthing just before 1pm on Saturday.

One driver said traffic looked bad on the suggested diversion so they decided to try the A259 but took an hour to get through, with Lancing particularly digested.

He said: "It was a nightmare. We saw one mum jump out to ask someone if their little boy could use the toilet in their house. The traffic was moving so slowly. It took us about an hour to get from Lancing to Shoreham."

The queues were not quite as severe on Sunday through Lancing although there was still three miles of traffic which was taking more than 30 minutes to get through.

Delays remained well into the evening on both days.

It was the first of four weekend closures over the next two months.

The Argus: The eastbound closure caused delays on the westbound side of the Shoreham Bypass on SaturdayThe eastbound closure caused delays on the westbound side of the Shoreham Bypass on Saturday (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

The eastbound side of the A27 around New Monks Farm in Lancing will be closed on the following dates:

  • 9pm Friday (April 26) until 6am Monday (April 29) 
  • 9pm Friday (May 10) until 6am Monday (May 13)
  • 9pm Friday (June 7) until 6am Monday (June 10)

A spokesman for National Highways said: "Work is progressing to complete the new roundabout at New Monks Farm.

"To allow the team to finish off drainage, install ducting across the carriageway and lay the final road surface, there will be some weekend closures of the eastbound carriageway between Manor Roundabout and the Adur junction."

Stagecoach South said it was diverting its coastliner 700 services via the A24 and A283.

It was unable to stop at its usual stops on Shoreham seafront but said Worthing services were unaffected.

The bus company said it reduced the journey time by up to two hours when trialled on Saturday.