AN investigation was launched today into how resurfacing work on the A64 was allowed to carry on into the rush hour, creating massive tailbacks around York.

The roadworks, which reduced the road's westbound carriageway to one lane at Copmanthorpe Top, left drivers fuming as queues stretched east along the A64 beyond the A19 junction, even affecting the A1237 northern ring road and other local routes.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said today: "Contractors working on behalf of the Highways Agency were carrying out small areas of resurfacing for safety reasons on the A64 westbound between Copmanthorpe and Buckles Inn.

"A condition of the contract was that any lane closures required during the work would be lifted during the late afternoon rush hour.

"The contractors were unable to finish the work before late afternoon and the westbound lane closure remained in place.

"Highways Agency apologises for the resulting traffic congestion on the A64 and would like to reassure drivers that a full investigation is now under way."

She said further works planned for today were not on the main A64 carriageways.

"It's an absolute nightmare," said outraged motorist John Henry, whose journey to Leeds yesterday evening took over an hour longer than usual.

"It's taken 15 minutes to travel what's not even two miles.

He said when he got up to the roadworks, one worker was drinking a cup of tea and another was rolling a cigarette, infuriating commuters still further. "You could see the frustration building up on the faces. They were getting really wound up about it."

Another motorist, who tried to go from York to Copmanthorpe shortly after 5pm to pick up a prescription, gave up and turned back after being stuck for over an hour on the A19 slip road and the A64.

There were queues as far away as the road from Monks Cross to the A1237 northern ring road, while traffic was exceptionally busy on other local routes, including those around Bishopthorpe, Fulford Road and Hull Road.

An AA Roadwatch spokesman said the tailbacks lasted for more than an hour.