Cllr Fitzgerald, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member in charge of roads, admits ongoing works on Nene Parkway and Boongate roundabout are an inconvenience for drivers, but says the situation is far from "catastrophic".

The Conservative councillor's comments are a response to criticism from the authority's second biggest political group, the Peterborough Independent Forum.

Spokesman Keith Sharp told The Evening Telegraph the start of junction improvement work at Boongate this week had been badly timed, with traffic continuing to be affected by repairs to Nene Thorpe Bridge on the A1260.

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Cllr Sharp said: "The city's major arteries are blocked up and it's causing chaos.

"As far as I'm concerned it's down to poor organisation. These things shouldn't all have to be done at the same time and the council needs to act to ease the concerns of Peterborough's motorists."

Work began on Monday to revamp the Boongate roundabout, at the junction of the A1139 Frank Perkins Parkway and Fletton Parkway, although the four-week operation is being timed to avoid the morning and evening rush hours.

The Nene Thorpe Bridge repairs are causing problems for commuters, with a section of each carriageway reduced to a single lane until October 10.

Both operations coincide with continuing work on the A1 Carpenter's Lodge roundabout, near Stamford, although this is being carried out by the Highways Agency and is outside the city council's area.

Cllr Fitzgerald said: "There is no reason why certain roadworks can't happen at the same time, provided they don't cause complete mayhem.

"I know the Nene Parkway work is causing a few problems but it is essential work.

"I also realise people don't like the inconvenience and the situation is not being helped by the A1, which is totally out of our control, but it is not quite catastrophic.

"Our improvement works are carefully planned and consideration is given to the impact they will have on drivers across the city. We don't just do it without thinking."

Work is set to begin at the end of October on installing new signals at the Thomas Cook roundabout, linking the A1260 with the A47, but by that time the Nene Parkway and Boongate operations are set to be completed.

Cllr Fitzgerald revealed that he turned down a request to begin roadworks on a new housing development off London Road in Hampton, Peterborough, because of its impact on the city's traffic during the current works.