ROAD closures caused traffic chaos in Weymouth town centre yesterday with hundreds of motorists being turned around on King Street.

According to onlookers, council officials were directing a ‘constant stream’ of traffic to turn around in the Weymouth train station car park as they attempted to drive from the Commercial Road direction.

Motorists said they had not seen signs, which advise that King Street will be closed between 10am and 10pm, with access to the train and petrol stations only during this time.

Drivers and tourists said the situation around the train station was ‘ridiculous’ as thousands arrived in the town on the opening day of the Olympic Games.

Simon Williams, head of Weymouth and Portland 2012 operations, said signs were in place warning motorists of road closures.

He said: “If a few more signs are needed we will make sure they are put in place.

“There were bound to be a few bedding-in issues and we are fortunate that we have time to iron out the wrinkles before the Games start.”

Taxi drivers said ‘hundreds’ of cars had been turned around in the train station car park in the space of a few hours.

Dave Ward said: “It has been a proper shambles. There has been a constant stream of people coming in and turning around. No one seems to be aware that the road is closed.”

And tourists Peter and Jennifer Stidson, from Yeovil, said there were not enough signs informing motorists of road and car park closures.

They said: “We are just down here for the day and we had no idea the Swannery car park was closed.

“The traffic was not anything we could not cope with, but there should have been more signs.”

Richard and Marina Savery, from Wales, said: “We just wanted to get to the shops but had to leave our car in one of the side streets. We had no idea about the closures. “ Rail users were also caught up in the chaos as trains carrying hundreds of passengers added to the congestion.

Kayleigh Jones, 24, from Bath, said: “As it is the school holidays the town should be prepared for more visitors.”

And Mr Fitzsimmons, 75, from Glasgow, described the situation as ‘ridiculous’.

He said: “The council has put in too much preparation for this, so there is too much hassle.”

For more information about the road closures during the Olympic period, visit www.dorsetforyou.com/sailing 2012/travel-and-transport/advice-for-residents n newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk