Norfolk County Council has ensured commuters heading home this evening will not get caught up in major queues again this evening – by calling off the survey which caused seven-mile tailbacks on the A47 this morning.

The delays were caused along the dual carriageway while the authority's traffic census took place in both directions on the A47 between the junctions for the A146 and Postwick.

The council has apologised for the problems and, following a review, has decided the survey will not continue this evening.

It started at 7am and was due to carrying on until 7pm but was suspended at 9.30am as a result of the traffic hold-ups.

County council spokesman John Birchall said: 'The tailbacks were far worse than anybody would've liked and we are very sorry for that but the information we got, we can't get in other way.

'We've now looked to see if there was a better way of doing it and have looked at the information we got this morning and have decided what we've got already is sufficient bearing in mind the likely disruption it would cause by carrying on.

'The good news is that the origin and destination survey has now gone. The manual traffic count is continuing so there will still be people on site but they will not affect the flow of traffic in any way.'

Earlier today, people reported they were up to an hour late for work while others missed or were late for appointments.

Derek Cooper, 61, who was travelling from Great Yarmouth to Cambridge, said he was stuck in the traffic for one hour and 20 minutes.

He said: 'I can't believe they would hold traffic up for that period of time. I had an important meeting to go to which I was late for and I may have missed out on a �150,000 contract because of it.'

Meanwhile, many aired their frustration on social media site Twitter.

@dyblew said: 'Stuck on the A47 and running late because of a census. Not a happy bunny'

@alexandrapow87 said: 'Avoid the a47 to norwich like the plague this morning tweeps #traffic #standstill'

@staceymac16 said: 'The stupid census they r doin in norwich has made me late again. 5 times now. Avoid a47 east bound between trowse & Broadland business park'

‏@danowat said: 'A road census, on a dual carriageway, in rush hour, just how dumb are some people?'

Were you affected by the traffic jams? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.