Drivers suffering delays of up to an hour during road works at a major crossroads are being given a brief respite.

Problems with high voltage electricity cables have caused BT to suspend work at the junction between Elstree Hill Road, Watford Road and Barnet Lane.

Work is expected to restart in April, but until that time, temporary traffic signals and cones will be removed and the road returned to normal.

BT started excavating underground chambers at the end of last month. However engineers soon discovered that cables running through the site were buried much deeper than anticipated.

The cables will need to be diverted by UK Power Networks before BT can continue its work, which will not happen until April.

Once this has happened, the temporary traffic lights will be reinstated and BT will restart work, which is expected to finish in September.

A spokesman from Hertfordshire County Council said: “On behalf the contractors and utility companies involved in this scheme, the county council apologises for any inconvenience caused by the work and the change to the planned schedule.

“When completed, the improvements to the junction will benefit the travelling public by easing the flow of traffic and making the junction safer for all users.”