A SHOPKEEPER says the ‘chaos’ caused by town centre roadworks are the worst he has seen in nearly 20 years – and the misery is now set to continue for another three weeks.

Tim Hobden, of Landmark Clothing in Marlow, says gas works which have plagued West Street over the last two weeks have led to customers cancelling suit appointments.

Yesterday, National Grid said ‘engineering challenges’ on gas mains mean motorists will be forced to sit at the three-way lights until the end of October, instead of today’s original deadline.

And the trader believes works could have been managed better, saying he is angry nothing seemed to happen for days after the signals went up.

He said: "The works are causing absolute chaos, and have definitely had a fundamental effect on the town and trade. It’s got to the point that the traffic is backed up all the way through town to the bypass.

"The problem is there is nothing going on, that’s the frustrating thing. It started early last week and from Wednesday to Saturday there was not a soul working there.

"I have been here for 19 years and I don’t think I have ever seen such chaos and road rage or the number of near misses.

"If my pre-booked customers are cancelling then who knows what is happening to passing trade?"

Exasperated residents, commuters and school pupils have taken to social media to vent their annoyance at the hold ups, with some claiming it can take an hour to just to get through Marlow at peak times.

Mr Hobden, who runs the clothes store with his wife Alex, says he wasn’t informed like usual that the works were going to take place.

And with the chaos unfolding outside his front window, he asked why utilities companies aren’t more accountable to minimising disruption after booking the slot with Bucks County Council.

Transport for Buckinghamshire, BCC’s roads arm, insists National Grid are closely monitored and would refuse extensions if it was found to be breaking the rules.

Spokesman Rosemary Bryant said: "The TfB streetworks team inspects this site every other day. The utilities company is on site every day but may not always be visible if they are either in peoples properties or moving spoil from site.

"They must comply with the terms of the permit and they would not be granted extensions if they were not compliant."

National Grid say the work is essential, and insisted it sent letters to all business and said it runs a compensation scheme for those affected by loss of trade.

Spokesman Antony Quarrell said: "The work and associated traffic management has been carefully planned and has been agreed with the local authority.

"Previously we agreed to delay our work to enable work by other agencies to be carried out.

"Work started in mid-September and was originally due for completion in early October. However the engineering challenges involved in this job mean the work is now due for completion at the end of the month.

"We always try to deliver our work as considerately as possible with minimal impact to the local community.

"Our engineers are doing all they can to complete the project as soon as possible including working seven days a week when needed."