MOTORISTS are being told they can travel for free on the Humber Bridge, in both directions, until noon on Friday.
The Humber Bridge Board has taken the unusual step of suspending its £1.50 toll in a bid to ease heavy congestion.
The bridge, along with the A63, is seeing the brunt of delays caused by resurfacing work on the eastbound of the M180 around Scunthorpe.
Yesterday, the Highways Agency used its network of electronic signs to advise motorists to use alternative routes.
Unfortunately, it resulted in heavy rush-hour delays on surrounding roads, particularly around the Humber Bridge and the A63.
Some motorists on the south bank reported delays of up to five hours.
Tolls were suspended for around an hour from 6pm yesterday, but were then reinstated.
This lunchtime, a Humber Bridge Board spokeswoman confirmed tolls have again been suspended.
One disgruntled Hull motorist, who did not want to be named, said: "The Highways Agency appear to have not planned these roadworks sufficiently well.
"I cannot honestly fathom what the agency tasked with maintaining and keeping critical national infrastructure running think they are actually doing.
"Any idiot with half a brain can work out that if they shut the M180 a large majority of the traffic will be forced to use the bridge."
A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: "The Highways Agency warning resulted in people making changes to their normal route. A lot more people than usual ended-up using the A63 and the Humber Bridge."
The Highways Agency say the closure between junction 1 and junction 3 will remain in place until 6am on Monday.
In a statement, it said: "Drivers are warned of delays on the M180 and are advised to seek alternative routes.
"The motorway is currently closed eastbound due to essential resurfacing work, including sections of deep carriageway excavation and reconstruction, which began at 6am on Wednesday, between junction 2 and 3.
"Drivers are being diverted via the A18 at junction 1; however the diversion route is heavily congested. Overhead motorway messaging signs have been set across the region on the A1, A1M, M62, M1 and M18 warning of delays.
"Those travelling from the south should consider using the A46 and A15.
"The closure point on the M180 has been amended and is now at junction 1, as the diversion route from this junction is better able to cope with the traffic volumes exiting the M180.
"This junction 1 to 3 closure will remain in place until Monday 11 August at 6am."
Visit wwww.highways.gov.uk for further information or call 0300 123 5000.
