Motorists in East Renfrewshire are being driven to distraction by a forest of temporary traffic lights.

One driver claimed tempers recently got so frayed there was a near riot when lights on either side of roadworks both failed.

And one trader says his takings have plummeted as a result of temporary traffic lights which stayed outside his petrol filling station for nearly a month.

Scottish Water is undertaking major works in the area to upgrade drinking water and has been carrying out sewer repairs. Roadworks have also been carried out.

John Robb is the third generation of his family to run Kirkstyle Garage in Neilston.

Temporary traffic lights were put up outside his premises in September, Scottish Water dug a four foot deep hole in the road and then nothing happened for weeks.

The impact was drivers who normally stopped to fill up their cars opted to avoid the lights and went elsewhere.

Mr Robb said: “I don’t think I am even at one third of the fuel I would normally sell because drivers don’t come this way now.

“They are choosing to take an alternative route so sales in the past month have been dire. If I was relying on fuel sales alone I wouldn’t be here.”

The businessman said workers eventually came and tarred over the hole with a promise the lights would be removed.

Care worker Gary Gillies from Neilston says he has also been driven mad as a result of 13 sets of temporary traffic lights in a one mile radius.

At one location, lights controlling traffic in both locations failed on stop causing chaos.

Mr Gillies said: “Drivers got so fed up waiting that both lanes went at the same time causing a blockage.

“Everyone was out of their cars shouting and screaming. There was a riot and the police were called. It was unbelievable.”

He says the sheer number of temporary lights has caused lengthy traffic jams making journeys longer and causing frustration for drivers.

Mr Gillies added: “Having 13 sets of traffic lights in a one mile radius is mindblowing.”

Scottish Water said work in Barrhead to install a new underground power cable is expected to be completed on time with the road opening on Monday.

A spokesman added: “The works are part of a £120million investment in the drinking water network serving customers in East Renfrewshire and Ayrshire.

“Our alliance partner Caldedonian Water Alliance is installing a new stretch of water main from Waulkmill Glen reservoir near Newton Mearns to Amlaird Water Treatment Works near Fenwick which will benefit more than 200,000 people and businesses in much of Ayrshire and parts of East Renfrewshire.

“The Scottish Water work in High Street in Neilston is for sewer repairs which are now complete.”