The  closure of Birmingham city centre’s famous road tunnels sparked long tailbacks yesterday – with worse to follow as commuters embark on another working week.

The 40-year-old St Chad’s and Queensway tunnels on the A38 have shut completely for six weeks for vital refurbishment work – the first comprehensive overhaul they have ever had.

City transport bosses chose the school summer holidays for the project as traffic is lighter, but critics including Birmingham Chamber of Commerce president Steve Brittan warned that chaos would result as motorists struggled to find alternative routes.

Works being carried out by contractor Amey include structural and safety upgrades, fire protection measures, new lighting and a lick of paint.