East Ayton roadworks causing long delays for drivers on the A170: here's when they're due to finish

Northern Powergrid is carrying out emergency electrical repairs to public lighting, and the works have led to a three-way traffic control being installed at the junction of the A170 Pickering Road with Castlegate.

The knock-on effect is queuing traffic from Scarborough and Irton at the mini roundabout at St John’s Church.

The delays are also affecting village businesses and residents.

Stacey Howdle, manager of East Ayton Post Office, said: “I’m not happy about it, I had to park up and walk the rest of the way this morning. I left home at 8.05 and got here at 8.40, I only live in Seamer.”

Post office customer Glen Dutton said: “It’s causing mayhem, the lights aren’t letting many people through. There was traffic on the bottom road [Irton Moor Lane] as far as I could see yesterday.”

Kelly French, who works at Midway Pharmacy, said she was 30 minutes late for work after getting stuck in the traffic.

Practicalities such as receiving stock are also proving troublesome. Pharmacist Penny Rogers, who said they hadn't had any notification that the work would be taking place, said: “It’s difficult to take deliveries because they can’t park outside.”

Spar Manor Garage say their business is also being affected, with the forecourt being noticeably quieter than normal. Supervisor Leanne Ward said: “The footfall isn't so bad, but it's affecting people coming in and out for fuel. It’s taking people quite a while to get anywhere, one member of staff took 40 minutes to get here this morning.”

The works are scheduled to finish on Monday March 16.