The cause of tuesday night’s hour-long queues between Peacehaven and Newhaven has been revealed.

Drivers were stuck in hour-long queues around Newhaven and as far as Seaford and Peacehaven during rush-hour.

East Sussex Highways said that the roadworks and temporary traffic lights were used for emergency works carried out by South East Water.

Argus readers told of their horror at the chaos in the area and further afield during an evening of misery for motorists, some trying to get to the England v Czech Republic women's international at the American Express Community Stadium.

Queues snaked along the A259 and along other routes into Newhaven as people tried to escape the traffic. The delays were caused by roadworks on the A259 at Newhaven, close to Peacehaven.

Wendy Dumelow said: “I got caught at Shoreham roadworks, an accident at Falmer, football traffic and then this at Newhaven. Such fun.”

Leanne Lange added: “The route between Seaford and Peacehaven is becoming an absolute joke. There is far too much traffic for a single lane main road all that way with roundabouts and traffic lights every 100 yards. Any accidents and the emergency services struggle to get through and there’s no turning round or alternative route.”

According to Roadworks.org, which has information supplied by South East Water, the works causing the A259 delays are ongoing until October 14.

Kathryn Warren said: “The roadworks were planned to continue until the 14th but assuming due to the absolute chaos that occurred it has been knocked on the head?”

An East Sussex Highways spokesperson said: “We are aware of the delays on the A259 caused by emergency works by South East Water.

“Our Network Management team have since been in contact with South East Water and the temporary traffic lights will now be manually controlled during peak hours to reduce delays.  Work will continue overnight to ensure it is completed as quickly as possible.”

South East Water has been approached for comment.