Arbroath Community Council says it has been inundated with complaints about roadworks in the town.
Community councillor Ian Watson believes things are so bad police should be brought in to direct traffic at peak times.
Motorists have been experiencing long tailbacks at rush-hour since last Monday after an eight-week programme of roadworks got under way.
Drivers making their way into the town from Dundee are being forced to divert off the A92 and round the Westway. During rush hour, cars travelling north towards Montrose are being delayed by up to 20 minutes as traffic backs up around the detour.
Mr Watson said the roadworks have been causing a considerable amount of frustration in the town.
He said: “I have spoken to chairman, Mike Cosans, and other community councillors regarding the roadworks that are currently under way. Collectively we have been bombarded with questions and complaints from the general public, mostly criticising the closure of the stretch of road from the Westway to the Infirmary Brae.
“Closing both lanes of the road is causing chaos around the whole town. Locals are taking short cuts through residential areas in an attempt to avoid the traffic jams, only to find their entry on to the Westway blocked by a constant stream of traffic.
“The residents of Hospitalfield are pulling their hair out describing the rush-hour period between 8am and 9am as ‘crazy’. That’s the period where traffic is heading up the Westway nose to tail moving at snail’s pace, and it is almost impossible to exit Hospitalfield.”
Mr Watson said a lack of common sense by some drivers is adding to the difficulties.
He also hit out at traffic cones being placed across from the Arbirlot Road junction, which he believes has resulted in “more chaos.”
Dundee Road was closed to traffic from the Westway to Infirmary Brae and will remain shut until March 30, when Angus Council roads staff complete the resurfacing. An alterative route taking in the Westway, Keptie Road, Cairnie Road, Cairnie Street, Guthrie Port, Burnside Drive and Ladyloan has been put in place. Diversion signs have been put out to guide drivers.
Mr Watson added: “If the current set-up is to remain, Angus Council has to organise a police presence at several junctions up the Westway, and possibly Cairnie Street at peak periods.”
The misery was also added to by the fact that a stretch of Keptie Street between Helen Street and Catherine Street had temporary traffic lights in place while resurfacing took place.
However, the contractors carried out the work ahead of schedule to ease the traffic congestion.
Angus Council has thanked motorists for their patience during the works. It says it is continuing to monitor the flow of traffic during the roadworks and says it will take any steps it can to minimise disruption.