ROAD chaos came to York after major roadworks got under way on the A64 - and three vehicles were involved in an accident.

Long tailbacks built up on routes around the city on the first morning of a single contraflow on the dual carriageway between Askham Bryan and Bilbrough, where a £250,000 resurfacing scheme is taking place this week.

The collision, involving a Mazda, a Vauxhall Astra and a Vauxhall Zafira, happened on the westbound carriageway underneath the Sim Balk Lane flyover at 7.40am yesterday. It left one person with minor injuries.

Motorists travelling into York reported long delays as traffic backed up at the A64 junction with the A19.

One driver said: "The journey from Selby to York took me an hour-and-a-half as traffic was backing up on the A19 for several miles from the Fulford Interchange.

"Some people were using the road through Naburn as a rat-run and there was a mile of standing traffic there."

Meanwhile, motorists further down the A64 from the accident also hit problems as foggy conditions made it difficult for them to follow signs diverting them to the contraflow.

Helen Mead, 45, of Earswick, said: "You couldn't see the diversion signs. I'm amazed that there wasn't a major accident.

"You just came up against a barrier saying no entry and that was it. People were shunting backwards and forwards."

She said about 40 cars ending up in Copmanthorpe milling around' looking for a sign back onto the A64.

Other motorists were avoiding joining the A64 so alternative routes into the city were also jammed.

One driver said: "The A59 was extremely busy, with traffic travelling at just 20mph. The conditions were compounded by fog which meant people were driving cautiously."

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: "The contraflow was only brought in on Monday at 8pm so this was the first test of the situation during the morning rush-hour.

"There was an accident on the westbound carriageway before the roadworks which seems to have added to the delays.

"We did warn people of possible delays and ask them to allow longer for their journeys."

She added: "The diversions are not designed to go through the local road network and we don't know how people ended up in Copmanthorpe.

"The contraflow is designed to keep people on the A64 and the diversions are simply for people wanting to access Bilbrough Services and or leave the road."

Problems for motorists coming into York via the A19 were made worse by the closure of Cemetery Road, between Heslington Road and Fulford Road, where two weeks of resurfacing work is taking place.

Roadworks in Haxby were also adding to people's journey times from the north of the city.

A section of The Village is closed between Westfield Lane and South Lane and cars are being diverted around neighbouring streets.

Bus routes have also been altered with services number one and number 12 being diverted around neighbouring streets.

Map of traffic misery>>