TRAFFIC chaos hit Glasgow city centre today as works began to upgrade water pipes.

Motorists face disruptions and diversions around Nel-son Mandela Place, which will be closed for two weeks.

The roadworks are part of Scottish Water's £3.5million upgrade to replace five miles of crumbling water mains in the city centre.

The water authority says it will improve services to thousands of properties and customers, providing clearer and fresher drinking water.

Already, motorists have faced a series of disruptions from the programme, which began last July.

Last week, nearby St Vincent Street and West Nile Street suffered lane closures due to the works, which caused major tailbacks.

Now Nelson Mandela Place will be closed from its junction with West Nile Street to the junction with West George Street and Queen Street.

Diversions will be place to allow access to George Square while Nelson Mandela Place is closed.

Mark Maclaren, Scottish Water's regional community manager in Glasgow, said: "We thank affected custom-ers, businesses and road users for their continued co-operation and understanding and would stress that any short-term inconvenience will be far out-weighed by the benefits this upgrade."

Scottish Water said it had liaised with the council's roads department, bus firms, taxi operators and business-es before the works.

The authority said its next round of work will be around George Square early next month. They said that while there will be some lane closures, no roads will be fully closed, with George Street and George Square still accessible to motorists.

The works came as drivers were also wanted to expect delays due to resurfacing work in the city centre.

Two lanes in Renfrew Street, between Cambridge Street and Renfield Street were closed yesterday until Thursday, while work is carried out and drivers were advised to avoid the area.

A second section of Renfrew Street, between Renfield Street and West Nile Street, is also reduced to one running lane in each direction for work which began yesterday.