Council says it was surprised by 'illegal roadworks'

A council has apologised to drivers for long delays caused by "illegal" roadworks that it said also took it by surprise.

West Berkshire Council said in a statement that Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) did not have permission to set up lights or carry out work on Hambridge Road in Newbury.

Angry drivers have taken to social media to complain the works have created delays of up to two hours on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for SSEN said it had left the area and no further works would be started until the situation could be clarified.

The council said the energy company had been asked to vacate the site as it was "occupying the highway illegally".

It added that the work "caught us by surprise too, and we sincerely apologise for the disruption".

One driver said their 15-minute journey home took them two hours and 20 minutes due to the roadworks.

Another said it took them over an hour-and-a-half, which they described as a "massive waste of time".

A spokesperson for SSEN said they were "aware of an issue where West Berkshire Council has stated works were started without the appropriate permissions".

“All works and temporary traffic management were cleared from the area at 3pm on Tuesday 24 September and no further works will be started until the situation can be clarified," it added.

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