A contractor has been blasted for failing to complete roadworks that have caused "colossal queues" and "havoc" on time.

County councillor Laurance Brass says hundreds of residents have complained about "endless delays" at Bushey's "busiest and most important junction".

There have been temporary traffic lights near Costco as part of a programme led by Hertfordshire County Council to upgrade the permanent traffic lights.

The work, which began in March, was expected to take a month to complete and finish by April 29 - but is now scheduled to be done by this Friday (May 6).

Watford Observer: Some of the queues that have been caused by the roadworks. Shown is outside Costco in AprilSome of the queues that have been caused by the roadworks. Shown is outside Costco in April

Cllr Brass has hit out at the council and its contractor Ringway after he says he received assurances on April 20 and 29 that the work would be completed to schedule.

At the weekend, he wrote to the council asking why the roadworks were still in place. He also complained about the disruption the work had caused to drivers in the area, with regular queues in Aldenham Road, Little Bushey Lane, Bushey Mill Lane, Hartspring Lane, and on the A41.

Summing up his letter, Cllr Brass said: "The whole episode has given a very bad name to both Hertfordshire County Council and Ringway. I have striven to perform my duty to residents but have been impeded by the inaccuracy of the information and the failure to properly pursue my concerns about slow progress."

The Liberal Democrat member also warned residents will not "tolerate" any teething problems with the new traffic lights and said, "in time", a "full explanation" about the delay is needed.

Watford Observer: Sometimes the delays have stretched back to the A41 at the Hartspring RoundaboutSometimes the delays have stretched back to the A41 at the Hartspring Roundabout

With temporary lights still in place, there are delays in the area this evening (May 4).

Kevin Carrol, Ringway divisional manager, said: "The works to replace and upgrade the traffic lights at the junction of Aldenham Road, Little Bushey Lane, and Bushey Mill Lane are scheduled to be completed on Friday 6 May.

"Regrettably, the works were delayed due to some complications which became apparent once works were underway.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused, and we would like to thank residents and road users for their patience."