Impatient drivers have been blamed for problems with temporary traffic lights leading to long tailbacks on a busy road in the city's outskirts.

There have been multiple reports of faulty lights in Salhouse Road since work started on a long-awaited cycle path in mid-December, reducing the road to one lane.

The issue boiled over on Wednesday morning as long tailbacks formed for city-bound traffic, stretching beyond the permanent traffic lights at Atlantic Avenue and much of the way back to the NDR roundabout.

Norwich Evening News: The traffic lights located in Salhouse RoadThe traffic lights located in Salhouse Road (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

Drivers report seeing an engineer working on the lights this morning, which were operating properly again, but the housing consortium responsible for the work - made up of Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Hopkins Homes - has shifted the blame onto motorists.

READ MORE: WATCH: Faulty traffic lights cause long tailbacks AGAIN in busy city road

A spokeswoman for Persimmon, speaking on behalf of the consortium, said: "We have been informed of congestion in and around Salhouse Road as a result of an issue with the temporary traffic management system, installed for safety reasons, while work is completed on the new cycle path.

Norwich Evening News: The consortium of Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Hopkins Homes said motorists have been failing to stop at the red lightThe consortium of Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Hopkins Homes said motorists have been failing to stop at the red light (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

"Motorists have been failing to stop at the red light which is causing the opposing lights to revert back to red to prevent cars meeting.

"As a result, the contractor carrying out these works will be manning the lights between 6.30am and 10am and again at 3.30pm and 6.30pm to ensure drivers are compliant with the signals."

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The housing consortium has previously been criticised for being slow to deliver community facilities on the White House Farm estate.

Norwich Evening News: Drivers reported an engineer operating on the traffic lights this morningDrivers reported an engineer operating on the traffic lights this morning (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

The work is expected to be completed in May.

James Vasco, a town councillor for Sprowston East who lives near Salhouse Road, has been stuck in the queues before and said: "I'm as frustrated as everybody else.

"Those in charge of the lights have a duty to ensure it's fit for purpose, especially how busy that part of the city is."

Norwich Evening News: The work is being carried out to provide a cycle pathThe work is being carried out to provide a cycle path (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)