The first Tour de France related roadworks in Otley have been blasted by businesses and councillors for causing unnecessary disruption.

There has been congestion and large tailbacks in the centre of the town, some stretching from Manor Square back to Otley Bridge, since the work on the A659 began on Monday.

Leeds City Council had given advance notice of the Tour de France linked package of resurfacing work, which began on Piper Lane and Westgate this week. The authority had agreed to not work on Fridays and limit most of the scheme to between 9.30am and 3pm, so as to avoid clashing with school traffic.

But Peter Heald from Otley Town Partnership, who runs Lunds of Otley on Westgate, said a combination of inadequate signage, contractors not sticking to the agreed times, and poor communication had led to an “absolute shambles”.

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) has taken the matter up with Leeds.