THE Chislehurst Road bridge closed on Monday amid fears the next 12 months will bring chaos for motorists in the area.

Initial reports suggest the diversion might not be as bad as people feared, but a handful of motorists have complained of problems.

Others were forced to contend with tailbacks along Petts Wood Tudor Way due to temporary traffic lights.

On Monday afternoon Councillor Colin Smith, executive cllr for the environment, wrote on News Shopper's website: "The debacle in Queensway is solely down to UK Power [Networks].

"Their works are totally unauthorised and the council is attempting to remove them as I type.

"If those responsible can be fined, they will be. To the hilt."

A problem spot on the diversion is Leesons Hill, particularly at the junction with Cray Avenue.

News Shopper reader olliesbaby commented on our website: “I left 30 minutes early to take my son to Crofton School, a journey that normally takes ten minutes there and back. It took me almost an hour.

“Leesons Hill was totally backed up, the side road by St Mary Cray Street was a nightmare.”

Dog walker Ann-Marie Buffoni, 46, of Sheen Road, Petts Wood has to get to the Chislehurst side of the bridge every day to get to her customers.

She said: “On Monday morning it wasn’t too bad heading towards Chislehurst but it was much busier coming back at about 3pm.

“It was chockablock at the junction between Leesons Hill and Cray Avenue and I can’t really see it getting any easier.”

Some motorists have complained the diversion route has not been marked clearly enough.

Pensioner Margaret O’Connor, 73, of Amhurst Drive, St Mary Cray, travels to Chislehurst, Mottingham and Eltham frequently.

She said: “I don’t think the diversion was marked very clearly, if you didn’t know the area I think you would have problems.

“Its’ early days yet, time will tell how bad it’s going to be.”

The traffic lights in Queensway, Petts Wood, had been removed by Monday evening.

A spokesman from UK Power Networks said: "We apologise for the disruption caused in Queensway.

"Our engineers were carrying out emergency repairs to restore power supplies in the area following a fault on an underground electricity cable.

"Due to the location of the fault it was necessary to install temporary, three-way traffic lights.

"We did apply for permission and are investigating what happened in this case."