Motorists are fuming over delays caused by roadworks on Brighton seafront.

The Ocean Boulevard traffic scheme at the junction of West Street and King's Road has caused tailbacks all along the seafront road despite attempts by Brighton and Hove Council to ease jams.

Dominic Brecher, of St Michael's Place, said the delays ruined his evening.

He said: "It took me nearly half an hour to get from Palace Pier to West Pier, and it wasn't even rush hour.

"I had no idea it would take so long to go such a short distance at that time in the evening, so it made me late.

"I don't understand why these roadworks are happening in the middle of summer when Brighton is at its most crowded."

Coastguard Howard Trevette said the problem had been getting worse: "I find the whole thing totally stupid. Why are they putting in a zebra crossing when we already have a public subway?

"The whole seafront is totally congested. It is just bad planning -why didn't they do this in winter?"

Taxi drivers have been finding it difficult to pick up guests at seafront hotels, although guests themselves have not complained about the roadworks to managers in The Metropole or The Grand. Andrew Macay, deputy general manager of The Grand, said: "We have experienced problems with getting taxis to us but guests arriving by car have not mentioned any problems."

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The Ocean Boulevard scheme is now at the final stage. Work is being carried out overnight to minimise disruption.

"But there's no good time to carry out necessary work like this because there's no off-season in Brighton.

"As the summer finishes we move into conference season and then it is the Christmas shopping period.

"We can't do everything that needs to be done in a couple of weeks in February."