DELAYS are mounting for motorists as roadworks are carried out on a number of North Somerset's main roads.

Commuters travelling through Tickenham on the B3133 may have noticed even longer delays than expected over the past week.

The busy road has become one of the main diversion routes for people travelling between Portishead and Clevedon as essential roadworks are carried out along the B3124 at Walton-in-Gordano.

Around 1.2 miles of road towards Portishead from Holly Lane have been closed while resurfacing and drainage works are carried out, causing inevitable delays.

But a burst water main near Tickenham Garage has meant that queues caused by the diversions are now even longer for motorists.

Traffic lights were installed on the busy road while emergency repairs were carried out.

In Nailsea, temporary traffic lights have been installed in place of the main lights at the junction of Clevedon Road and Stock Way North following a gas leak.

And pensioners in Wraxall say they have been cut off from the outside world because of roadworks.

The main B3130 through the village is closed all this week as resurfacing work is carried out on the busy commuter route.

As buses cannot get through, it means many pensioners who rely on the services are stranded and, because there is no continuous pavement along the road, people cannot even walk from the village into neighbouring Nailsea to do their shopping.

The road, a main commuter route into Bristol, is to be closed until Friday, February 19, and diversions for buses and motorists have been put in place.

Villagers say although they are pleased the work is being carried out to resurface the pothole-ridden road, they are concerned they have been left stranded.

Mac Hedges, 74, of The Grove, uses the bus, which he picks up at the top of the road, three times a week to go and get shopping.

The retired builder said: "It is very inconvenient that the road is closed as a lot of people who live down here are elderly, do not have cars and rely on the buses. Even those people with cars have to make a large detour just to get out to the shops.

"I am pleased that the road is being resurfaced because it was in a very bad condition and dangerous."

North Somerset Council highways chiefs said they were doing their best to ensure access was maintained for residents where possible.

North Somerset Council spokeswoman Zoe Briffitt said: "We are trying to maintain access for residents where possible but we have to consider the safety of everyone using the road, both residents and contractors.

"We are asking people to be patient while this essential road resurfacing project is carried out."

Preparation work is also underway in Congresbury to construct a new bus lane along the A370 and at the junction with the B3133, Smallway, aimed at relieving heavy congestion.

The lane will be for use by buses, bikes and taxis.

As part of the scheme, the 30mph speed limit will be extended throughout the village, an off-carriageway cycle track will be provided for north-bound cyclists and a puffin crossing will be installed to improve pedestrian access in the area. The project should cost around £180,000 and will be funded by the Department for Transport for the Greater Bristol Bus Network scheme.