THE laying of kerbstones caused added headaches for motorists travelling into a busy city centre.

Congestion developed over and above the usual morning rush-hour jams into Durham on Wednesday morning.

Motorists are already faced with problems caused by extended work on the Milburngate roundabout, at the junction of the A690 and the A691, at the foot of Framwelgate Peth.

Further delays have been experienced this week on another city centre approach road, the A181 Gilesgate Bank, during repairs to an underground sewer.

Two-way traffic lights have been in operation on Gilesgate Bank since Tuesday, although it is hoped the work will be completed before the school term begins next week.

Meanwhile, the laying of kerbs was under way on the approaches to the Milburngate roundabout, causing the closure of one lane on Milburngate Bridge, which carries the A690 over the River Wear.

It had the knock-on effect of lengthy traffic jams developing on all city approach roads.

A county council spokes-man confirmed yesterday that the lane closure was only temporary, to prevent vehicles clipping newly-laid kerbstones.

He said: "The restriction has now been lifted and it's safe to allow traffic through on that lane, so the cones have been removed, and it won't need to be repeated."

The spokesman said the roundabout contract was nearing completion with the end aim of improving traffic flow on what is one of the busiest road junctions in the county.