Motorists have been warned to expect “severe delays” all week as scheduled road works on Wood Street cause major delays.

Traffic was backed up across Kingston town centre this morning and afternoon.

Thames Water worked on two leaks on a large water main, causing congestion on Surbiton Road, Maple Road, Richmond Road and Eden Street.

Billyleesmith said on Twitter this afternoon: "Traffic in Kingston ain't even moving."

And captaincaz said this morning: "Sitting in Kingston traffic for the last hour."

Simon Harris said: "So a 10 minute 3 mile journey today turned into 90 minutes of hell."

Traffic flow will be restricted to one lane from the Wood Street junction at Dolphin Street, up to the Vicarage Road junction and there are also long delays on roads going from Kingston to Norbiton.

Kingston Council have advised motorists to allow extra time for journeys and take public transport where possible.

They said today’s problems were made worse by concrete blocks, which help put traffic into one lane, not being “properly aligned”, now rectified by contractors.

A spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately, disruption is unavoidable in this instance because there is no alternative diversion route for Wood Street.

“Motorists are advised to allow extra time for journeys passing through the town centre and to try to be patient if they have to use the route. An alternative would be to take public transport if at all possible.”

The work is due to be completed on March 12.

Thames Water were contacted for comment but so far have not responded.