The closure of a busy route is causing “chaos” in the surrounding area, it is claimed.

Chickerell Road in Weymouth is closed from Five Ways to near Westdowne Close this week so it can be resurfaced for the Curtis Fields development.

Traffic is being diverted down Radipole Lane and Weymouth Way but many motorists are using local roads as short cuts, turning them into 'rat runs'.

Borough councillor Gill Taylor, said that the “chaos” on the roads had many residents ringing her up about the disruption.

Cllr Taylor said that not enough signage had been put up to warn people of the closure, adding that access only signs that were supposed to be placed on Westhaven and East Wyld Road were initially not put up.

Signs were eventually put up on Tuesday afternoon, she said.

Bruce Sutherland, 74, the tenants’ representative for Five Ways and part of Westhaven, has also been in contact with local authorities to report the disruption.

He said a road closed sign and an access only sign were put up at the end of Westhaven near the Five Ways Centre on Wednesday night, but said drivers are taking no notice of it.

He is concerned that the traffic along Westhaven could pose a threat to the safety of elderly residents.

Mr Sutherland said: “It is dangerous – emergency services can’t get through.”

He added there was “complete uproar” on Tuesday night as a car sped down the road at 60mph, which he reported to the police.

Hilary Freeman, 75, who lives on Westhaven, also said drivers were not taking any notice of the road signs.

She said: “It is absolutely horrendous, it’s terrible.”

She added: “They just don’t take into consideration that it’s a side road rather than a main road, and they use it like a race track.” 

Mr Sutherland said that one tenant’s car has been scraped and there had already been an accident on the road, where a car was hit by another car from behind. 

Dorset Police said they received reports of motorists driving dangerously in Westhaven on Tuesday afternoon and late Wednesday morning.

A spokesman said: "It was reported that motorists cutting through the road due to roadworks in Chickerell Road were driving above the speed limit.”

Kevin Cheleda, traffic team manager for Dorset County Council, said: “Contractors were supposed to erect signs on Westhaven, East Wyld Road and Quibo Lane on Tuesday to discourage people from using them as ‘rat runs’ while Chickerell Road is closed. 

“When it was reported to Dorset County Council that they hadn’t gone up, we chased the contractor who rectified it. If people are ignoring or removing the signs, it’s the contractor’s responsibility to report it to the police. 

“We’re pleased to say that the work on Chickerell Road is on schedule to finish by 7.30am on Saturday morning.”

Jay Martin, director of Ford Civil Engineering, which is doing the road works, said: “We appreciate the disruption caused by these roadworks and recognize that it is essential the necessary signage is in place to safely direct both the general public and site traffic alike. 

“However, it is unfortunate that on this occasion we have experienced some misplacement of the necessary signage and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by this action.

“We will do all we can to ensure that this situation is monitored and the signs are visible and reinstated where necessary until the road is re-opened on Saturday morning.”