People who live in a village bounded by the A52 say it has become a 'rat run' because of ongoing roadworks taking place elsewhere on the busy carriageway.
People living in Bassingfield, a sleepy village situated in the Rushcliffe countryside, said that motorists were using the area as a shortcut in attempt to avoid works at the Gamston roundabout.
Some said it had "affected the quality of life".
There have been delays along the A52 near the Gamston roundabout, also known as the Gamston Lock roundabout, since January.
The Gamston Lock island is located to the north-west of Bassingfield - and junction improvement works and upgrades to the gas network have closed lanes and brought in temporary traffic lights.
Retired Penelope Stace, who lives in Bassingfield, said the main road, Bassingfield Lane, had become a "rat run" as drivers come off the Gamston Lock roundabout and then pass through Bassingfield before getting back onto the A52 towards Radcliffe-on-Trent.
It's a brief shortcut but an issue causing problems in the village.
"There are areas where you can't pass another car," Ms Stace told Nottinghamshire Live.
"It's really difficult as we haven't got two-way traffic. I just hope it won't last too much longer. If I go to Morrisons I have to wait for people to let me out [of an adjoining road].
"You have to just pray that someone is nice enough to let you go."
She added that her husband had begun riding a bike to avoid the traffic.
"He doesn't want the hassle of waiting in the queues of traffic," Ms Stace continued.
"He doesn't see it as being worth being in a battle with traffic."
Work at the Gamston Lock roundabout started early in the New Year.
But motorists have been suffering longer delays this week with engineers having started work on Monday, March 7, to make changes in relation to the management of the traffic at the island.
Sections of the road were closed in the days before so equipment could be moved.
As part of the works, a 40mph speed limit has been introduced at the roundabout approaches and exits to improve safety.
The approach to the roundabout from the city has been reduced from two lanes down to one and temporary traffic lights are also controlling traffic flow during the upgrades.
The measures are causing mile-long queues from the roundabout back to Lady Bay Bridge at peak times.
But once complete, the number of lanes at the junction will be increased from two to four so more vehicles can use the junction and ease congestion.
The A6011 approach out of Nottingham will also increase from two lanes to three.
New traffic lights will manage traffic flow and traffic light controlled crossings will help pedestrians and cyclists to cross the junction.
Another Bassingfield resident, Natasha Scholz, who rides her horse in the village, said traffic in the area had got worse in recent weeks.
"It's really bad. It's not safe for the horses, it's supposed to be a quiet country lane," she said.
"It's definitely been worse in the last few weeks. It can't last because it will be disastrous for the horses."
The 47-year-old home care agency owner added: "I have one that I have to take out every morning and it's just not nice. It's affecting the quality of life round here. I've chosen that house to live in and now there's huge traffic coming through. It's not safe."
Les Edwards, a 71-year-old who has lived in the area for 24 years, added: "I have not experienced it due to mobility issues, but my wife says there has been some disruption lately. She says it has caused some problems.
"She's been living here a while so she can use alternative routes.
"One time we were going somewhere together and there was a delay, but that could have been because of the time. At peak times it would have been horrendous.
"We are elderly though so we've cultivated a sense of patience."
National Highways Senior Project Manager, Nick Medlicott said: “We understand the concerns of local residents living at Bassingfield and we’re trying to limit disruption where we can while essential gas mains work takes place at Gamston.
"We’d encourage motorists to leave time for their journeys while this work takes place on the A52 and to always follow official diversion routes where applicable.”
Cadent Gas is also carrying out mains replacement works in Cotgrave until the end of March, resulting in three-way traffic lights on Plumtree Road, Bakers Hollow and Mensing Avenue, which are adding to delays in the area.
A series of roadworks have also been carried out on the A52 in the Radcliffe area over the last year, with improvements to the Nottingham Road and Cropwell Road junctions.
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