Haverfordwest has become gridlocked with roadworks and frustrated motorists cannot wait for their completion.

Hold-ups in Freemans Way, Barn Street, Perrots Road, Quay Street, Portfield and Market Street have been delaying commuters during the last few weeks.

But curses directed at the local authority are misplaced, for the delays on Freemans Way are due to Trunk Road Agency work on the road and railway bridges, while other major works are being undertaken by contractors engaged by Welsh Water to lay new drainage to relieve flooding in the lower parts of the town.

In this case the roadworks are nothing to do with us, said a county council spokesman.

So complaints that the delays are due to the county council are unfounded.

The works in Lower Barn Street, Perrots Road, Quay Street and at the Churnworks roundabout are all concerned with the drainage work. Massive new drains and gulleys are being laid to try and solve flooding problems in Bridge Street and the riverside.

Less than a fortnight ago the Bristol Trader pub on the Quay was flooded with raw sewage for the tenth time in two years.

A Welsh Water spokesman said: Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is spending £1.8 million to improve the sewerage system in the town, providing environmental benefits to the area.

Welsh Water apologises for any inconvenience caused during the course of this important work.

We assure customers that Welsh Water and its contractors will make every effort to minimise disruption while the scheme is ongoing.

Work commenced in Quay Street on October 8th to replace a sewer as part of the scheme and this has since been completed.

This work will alleviate sewage flooding in the area. The scheme is due to be completed by February 2002.