A WATER company has apologised for roadworks which have caused severe delays on the A259.

Southern Water said it was fixing a leak at the Rottingdean crossroads.

But drivers have endured lengthy delays on the road over the last few days as temporary traffic lights have caused traffic chaos.

>> UPDATE: Deadline on works on A259 pushed back as heavy traffic continues 

This morning a traffic report said the lights had failed causing heavy traffic in the area.

Drivers are currently reporting delays of "more than an hour" .

One Argus reader said: "I was visiting my father in Telscombe Cliffs (and it) took nearly two hours to get there from Lancing via the A259.

"I went home on the A27 via Newhaven (and it) took 35 minutes."

Traffic is also reported to be "at a standstill" in Peacehaven as a result.

The roadworks continue today and an AA spokesman warned of slow traffic and increasing delays on the A259 through Rottingdean.

Yesterday, a Southern Water spokesman said: "Following proactive work by our leakage team, our crews are currently fixing a leak and relaying a pipe at Rottingdean crossroads on the A259.

"Working closely with the local authority, traffic lights have been put in place for us to repair as quickly and safely as possible.

"We hope to remove the lights by Thursday evening. We know this is an inconvenience to local road users, and we'd like to apologise for this and thank everyone for their patience during this vital work."

The AA spokesman later added: "There are temporary traffic signals due to water main work on the A259 Marine Drive at B2123 High Street.

"As a result there are delays on the A259 Marine Drive westbound between Broomfield Avenue and West Street."

A Brighton and Hove Buses spokesman said: "Due to delays in Rottingdean, our BH12, BH12A, BH12X, BH14 and BH14C services are terminating and restarting at the Sealife Centre.

"Please be aware that delays are likely on our coastal services due to temporary traffic lights in Rottingdean."