It was a moment that even the finest slapstick comedian could not have scripted.

Cambs Times: Wisbech market place. Diversion signs. Picture: Steve Williams.Wisbech market place. Diversion signs. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

The mayhem of a new one-way system stepped up a gear when workmen put up diverted traffic signs - sending cars back down the new one way streets which were causing confusion in the first place.

Workmen arrived to dig up the roads around the York Row area and before they started they put up diversion signs.

But the signs routed traffic back to how it was last month.

Postmaster and proprietor Ray Wicks of Etcetera said: “It’s ridiculous. If drivers weren’t confused they certainly are now!

Cambs Times: Wisbech market place. Diversion signs. Picture: Steve Williams.Wisbech market place. Diversion signs. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

“There are red no entry signs and underneath the new diverted traffic signs telling drivers to go up there. It’s like a comedy sketch gone wrong.”

Work was due to last for four weeks, but within five minutes of a call to the county council by the Wisbech Standard, the signs were promptly taken down and work stopped.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesman said: “The utility company was given approval to carry out work and a new traffic management plan agreed which reflected the new one-way system.

“The implementation of the traffic management while the works are ongoing is down to the utility company.

“Unfortunately the company seems to have used their old plans and as soon as we were made aware this morning the signs were removed and the company is changing the system to what had been agreed.”