MOTORISTS are set for more weeks of holdups after work on a notorious roundabout was delayed.

The roadworks on the Whitebirk roundabout have been held up because equipment for the overhead traffic lights has not arrived on time.

The delay has pushed back the launch of the roundabout's new high-tech traffic lights, originally planned for next month, into February.

And the latest stage of the work will see the entire roundabout closed to traffic for the first time overnight tomorrow night (thurs).

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council, which is carrying out the work on behalf of the Highways Agency, confirmed the overhead "gantries" would not be installed on time.

He said: "The original plans to install the gantries in December have been deferred until after the Christmas break due to delays in the manufacturing process. We now intend to install them over two nights at the end of January with the final opening and switch on approximately one week later."

He added: "The works on the roundabout are running reasonably smoothly and, considering the roundabout and slip roads being reduced to one lane for periods, traffic is flowing reasonably well and we thank the motorists for their continued patience. The temporary speed limits and lanes will remain in place for safety reasons until the gantries and the signals have been installed.

"Given the size and complexity of the scheme we are pleased that all the excavation, construction and surfacing works have gone according to plan."

Drivers say using the roundabout, at the border of Blackburn and Hyndburn at junction six of the M65, has become a "nightmare" since the work began, with drivers criss-crossing between lanes because of changes to road markings.

Lancashire County Council has put up special signs to avoid people ending up in the wrong lane.

And it has employed a quad bike rider to control traffic around the roundabout at busy times.

Tomorrow night's closure takes place between 10pm and 6am. Diversions will be put in place and drivers are being warned to allow extra time for their journeys.

Council chiefs say the £2million improvement project to widen roads and install traffic lights will make the roundabout safer and easier to use.