TAILBACKS of up to seven miles built up on one of York's busiest roads today as work began to remove a set of traffic lights.

The lights at the Copmanthorpe junction have seen a number of fatalities in recent years.

They are being replaced by an underpass in roadworks expected to last into next year,.

Motorists reported huge increases in their journey times today.

Angus King, who had taken 45 minutes to get from Thorganby to Bishopthorpe, said: "No thought has been given to traffic management.

"Why couldn't they leave the road relatively open during peak hours and work during the day or when it is less busy?."

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency confirmed there had been delays.

Updated: 11:12 Monday, September 10, 2001