Another weekend of bank holiday traffic misery is predicted despite there being no major roadworks.

Brighton and Hove has been brought to a standstill on previous bank holidays this year.

In May, motorists were stuck for hours as gasworks on the seafront, which should have been finished two weeks earlier, continued into the weekend causing long tailbacks.

At Easter more than 20 routes in the city were obstructed by roadworks, including some on London Road, which led to gridlock.

Traders and tourist chiefs are concerned that bank holiday congestion will discourage visitors from coming back to Brighton.

Brighton and Hove City Council believes it is well prepared to deal with the influx this weekend.

A spokesman said: "We have no major roadworks likely to affect visitors or holiday traffic."

However, Tony Mernagh, from the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: "We have been able to blame roadworks a couple of times this year but I confidently predict there will be significant congestion problems yet again this weekend.

"The plain and simple reason is the city does not have the capacity to deal with the extra vehicles.

"I'm not sure it is a situation that is being seriously addressed following the failure of the park-and-ride proposals last year.

"It's a massive problem for this city and could earn us a bad reputation."

Although the major access routes are clear, there are still a number of roadworks which could cause delays this weekend.

Complex diversions are in operation around Palmeira Square, Hove, as work to improve the layout near the Floral Clock continues.

There are temporary traffic lights at the bottom of Dyke Road as Southern Water replaces mains pipes.

There are lane closures around the Vogue Gyratory on Lewes Road, Brighton, while contractors construct a new bus route, and there are other works in Upper Gardner Street, Gloucester Road, Bath Street, Warren Road and Ditchling Road/Upper Hollingdean Road.

Mr Mernagh said: "I'm surprised the council is saying none of the works are likely to cause delays because they plainly will.

"Tens of thousands of people are likely to head here in cars. We could have more visitors than normal if we get a spot of sunshine and it could be a real test of the readiness of the city to cope with it."

One piece of good news for travellers is that Southern Railway is planning no engineering works this weekend.