And on Wednesday morning police had to set up a points system to manually direct traffic when the temporary traffic lights failed on a blind bend.

A new roundabout is being located on the A81 Milngavie Road at its junction with MacFarlane Road in Bearsden, but nearby residents claim they were given no warning of the works.

A statement from the council received by the Herald on Friday said the roundabout was to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents.

Work began on Saturday and involves the closure of Milngavie Road between MacFarlane Road and Maryhill Road and diversion routes operate on Rannoch Drive, Roman Road, Canniesburn Toll and Drymen Road.

The council said residents in the "immediate vicinity" had been advised of the works a few days before they started, but complaints of no notice came to the Herald from Roman Road, Rannoch Drive, Kessington and Boclair Road.

Residents say traffic has been banked from Canniesburn as far back as the Milngavie boundary at peak periods since the work started.

John Steel, of Roman Road, blasted: "If notices had been signposted forecasting the delays, motorists would have known to take alternative routes. But as it was, on the first day of the holidays on Saturday, motorists had driven in to the unexpected tailback before they knew it — it might just have been an inconvenience for those going on driving breaks, but my son was heading for the airport and nearly missed his flight. I'm sure he wouldn't have been the only one."

Burnbrae Residents' Association chairman Victor Budas told the Herald: "It's quite shocking the council didn't erect some signs giving advance warning of the works.

"Roads bosses should know there's more than just local traffic using Milngavie Road, with vehicles from west Stirlingshire and further north using the busy A81. Advance warning of the road closure would have allowed motorists heading to join the motorway or going to Glasgow to choose the Auchenhowie Road route. I know of people who missed exams and other appointments after being trapped in the queues between Burnbrae and Canniesburn, yet advance notice could have avoided much of the chaos that erupted."

An East Dunbartsonshire Council spokesperson explained: "The works on the A81 are essential for improving road safety as there have been serious accidents on this stretch of road.

"They were originally scheduled for the summer. However, major works are scheduled for Balmuildy Bridge in the summer and these works need to be carried out during school holidays to minimise disruption.

"A decision has therefore been taken to bring the Bearsden works forward to the school Easter holidays and residents in the immediate vicinity were advised of this by letter earlier this week."

A police spokesman said on Wednesday before 6am motorists were calling in to say the failed temporary lights were an accident waiting to happen.

The spokesman added: "Police officers who went to the scene agreed the set up was dangerous and immediately set up a points system as the stretch of uncontrolled road was on a blind bend."

Warnings of the situation and ensuing tailback were broadcast on morning radio.

The roadworks are expected to be complete by Sunday, April 20.