MOTORISTS have been urged to avoid a major route in and out of Blackburn after temporary traffic lights at Samlesbury caused chaos this morning.

The A59 and the M6 through Samlesbury and Mellor Brook has seen long queues and standstill traffic because of the roadworks.

One motorists said: “It’s taken me 20 minutes to get through town.

“The roadworks are causing chaos.

“There are long tail backs for motorists near Preston, all the way back to Samlesbury, into Blackburn and Mellor Brook.”