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Just what you need when it's hot and sticky: lengthy traffic jams caused by road works. Circumnavigating Palma yesterday on the Via Cintura ring road was a tedious affair as repairs were carried out to the road surface. The worst of the tail backs were at the exit for the road to the Balearic University and Valldemossa, where road works are already causing serious problems at rush hour. As summer approaches, the island's roads will start to buckle under the weight of the dense traffic. Last Sunday, long tail backs built up throughout the day where the Palma to Andratx dual carriage way narrows into single lane traffic near Magalluf and the construction of the new Santa Ponsa roundabout is going to cause growing traffic problems. The debate over the Inca to Alcudia motorway, which the present Balearic government cancelled in favour of the train and public transport, will soon re-open as the narrow and dangerous stretch of road becomes the main lifeline for the north of the island with heavy goods vehicles, coaches and cars all vying for space. A study carried out last year concluded that nearly all of Majorca's primary roads are carrying far too much traffic. The Manacor road is a prime example with nearly twice as many vehicles as the road is built for, using the road each day - hence the alarmingly high accident rate along the stretch of road. Improvement work started yesterday at the Cas Capita exit off the Palma to Inca road. The area is to be landscaped, 80 olive trees are having to be removed, and better lighting installed.