Motorists have said the A27 closure this weekend was a nightmare after sitting in traffic queues for hours.

The main commuter road was shut between Lancing and Shoreham on the eastbound carriageway from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday.

One woman told The Argus that the journey from Hove to Lancing and back, to visit a shop for five minutes, took two hours.

Other motorists reported sitting in 45 minutes of traffic from Lancing to Southwick.

READ MORE: Over 600 classic and vintage vehicles set to take part in motor event

Throughout the closure, the majority of cars used the A259 as a diversion route, with motorists referring to the situation as a "nightmare".

One resident Mark Douglas said: "On Saturday morning the usual 15- to 20 minutes took 50 mins on A259 going from Worthing to past Shoreham.

"The A259 can’t take it when the A27 is shut."

Teresa Kay Marr said: "Took me two hours to get from Worthing to Brighton yesterday. No sign on A27 to say closed."

Lisa Brazier, who was travelling at the time of the closure on Monday, said: "Took us half an hour to get through just now, bloody nightmare."

The closure is the first of four to take place over the next two months.

The next is scheduled from April 26 until April 29.