A COUNCIL last night apologised after hundreds of commuters were caught up in a major crawl to work.
But a spokesman said essential carriageway reconstruction work would continue for three months.
The closure of Cargo Fleet Lane, a main arterial road serving Middlesbrough, caused bumper to bumper jams on surrounding roads.
A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said 2,500 homes and businesses were leafleted about the planned works, well before Christmas, signs had been erected, and the emergency services and bus companies had been notified about the £1.34m project.
The council spokesman said: "These are essential works, and while we are trying to minimise disruption, it is inevitable there will be delays about which we are sorry. We are hoping that after today the situation will improve.''
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