Villagers say they have been ‘cut off’ and face a traffic ‘nightmare’ after filming for the upcoming Harry Potter television series brought roads to a standstill.

Locals in Latimer, Buckinghamshire, say streets have been left in gridlock as key routes are closed to allow film crews to shoot scenes for HBO’s adaptation of the JK Rowling novels.

Access was restricted to emergency vehicles from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday and to those with a resident permit from 8am to 5pm on Monday and Wednesday. 

Frustrated residents said they had no choice but to take an 11-mile detour that added over 20 minutes to outbound journeys after nearly all main roads were closed.

Plum Jam Productions, a subsidiary of Warner Bros Discovery, previously warned the three-day filming schedule would cause some ‘additional traffic’. 

In letters earlier this month, the production company said it was ‘conscious that filming in the area may bring some additional traffic and congestion’ but pledged to make any disruptions to locals ‘as manageable as possible’. 

When the Daily Mail visited Latimer on Wednesday, it took more than 30 minutes to travel the one mile from the Chalfont and Latimer train station to the village. 

On Tuesday, a lorry broke down in the diverted Blackwell Heath Road, causing traffic to halt to a gridlock for more than three hours.

Locals in Latimer, Buckinghamshire, faced a traffic ‘nightmare’ as scenes for the second series of HBO’s adaptation of the J.K. Rowling novels were shot this week

Plum Jam Productions, a subsidiary of Warner Bros Discovery, previously warned the three-day filming schedule would cause some ‘additional traffic’

Tariq (pictured) travelled to the village for a commercial event at the plush De Vere Latimer Estate. But after leaving with plenty of time to spare, he was diverted more than three times before being ushered up a country lane, where his car was finally left stranded

One resident who has lived in the village for 38 years said: ‘I had to go to the optician this morning which is just around the corner and it took 25 minutes because I couldn’t get through the village.

‘Yesterday we had to take the dog to the vet so we used Blackwell Hall Lane – it was an absolute nightmare and there wasn’t even much traffic. Someone said they were stuck there on Tuesday for three hours.

‘We’ve had all sorts of filming here – Pie in the Sky, Inspector Morse, Chef with Lenny Henry – and it was all fine. I think Warner Bros have gone over the top. The village has more or less been brought to a standstill. Footpaths have been closed off too.’

Suliyat, who organises care for some residents, has had to cancel more than three bookings this week due to road closures, potentially leaving vulnerable locals at risk.

She said: ‘It’s been a bit stressful. We’ve got clients who are based here and it’s meant that my carers have not been able to make their visits because of the diversions. It’s scary.

‘There was no back up or support from Warner Bros. Residents have been provided with parking permits, but what about other people who need access too?

‘The lanes like Blackwell Heath are just horrid. With lorries coming down and stuff – we’ve had no compensation either.

‘I think it’s really cheeky. If it was something essential that needed to happen then I would understand – but for filming, really?’

Ally Rogers said: ‘I think it’s nice that they’re filming something in our area, when the series comes out I’m sure we’ll enjoy it, but we’re trapped in at the moment. I’m losing business’

When the Daily Mail visited Latimer on Wednesday, it took more than 30 minutes to travel the one mile from the Chalfont and Latimer train station to the village

In May this year the three lead child stars were finally announced after months of speculation – with Dominic McLaughlin playing protagonist Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley

Ally Rogers, who has lived in the village for 30 years, complained: ‘It’s been quite inconvenient. I look after dogs and I’ve lost a booking this week because the client wasn’t able to get to me.

‘When they shut the roads around here it is an absolute nightmare so I tend just not to go out. It’s a pain in the butt.

‘I think it’s nice that they’re filming something in our area, when the series comes out I’m sure we’ll enjoy it, but we’re trapped in at the moment. I’m losing business.’

Tariq travelled to the village for a commercial event at the plush De Vere Latimer Estate. But after leaving with plenty of time to spare, he was diverted more than three times before being ushered up a country lane, where his car was finally left stranded.

He said: ‘I’m supposed to be at a corporate event but I’m 20 minutes late now.

‘The guy told me to go up here and take a right, then another guy in a fluorescent jacket told me to drive over a bridge and wind my way up.  

‘And I’ve ended up here, my car is basically stranded. I don’t even know what to do. It’s caused me a lot of stress.’

Resident Enya, 20, said: ‘It’s just a pain in the a**e. The roads are too tight for two cars to pass through so when lorries come, it’s just gridlock.

‘In the evenings it does feel like you’re trapped in. I could try and go to the local shop and it could take 20 minutes when the roads are shut just to go to Tesco’s.

‘I like Harry Potter and I enjoyed the movies, but I don’t understand why they have to film here out of all the places in the whole wide world. It is what it is but it’s annoying.’

Village access was restricted to emergency vehicles from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday and to those with a resident permit from 8am to 5pm on Monday and Wednesday

A lorry broke down in the diverted Blackwell Heath Road, sparking hours-long delays

Sneak peek snaps from the set of the upcoming Harry Potter TV series showed the cast descend on London Zoo in July for the iconic Dudley Dursley birthday scene from the first movie

Daniel Rigby (pictured) who has taken on the role of Vernon Dursley in the new series was also spotted at London Zoo 

Harry Potter’s Ron Weasley and his ragtag family were seen filming for the first time as the new TV series took over London King’s Cross station in August (Alastair Stout pictured as Ron)

Rivals star Katherine Parkinson, 47, who replaces Dame Julie Waters as family matriarch Molly, was also seen for the first time in character ahead of shooting iconic Platform 9 and 3/4 scenes

The role originally played by Rupert Grint in the movies, will now be portrayed by Alastair Stout who cut a quirky figure in his costume on set in August (pictured with Gracie Cochrane as sister Ginny)

Mark, who lives in the neighbouring village of Flaunden, said: ‘It’s been a hassle. I went for a drive yesterday and got stuck in the windy lanes. 

‘My car was scratched because other cars are trying to pass and you’re just constantly going forward and reversing.

‘I don’t think they should be able to do this, but what can we do about it?’

However, a resident living just a short walk from the set took a differing view.

She said: ‘It’s a load of rubbish. No one here has been cut off – people just don’t want to go a different way which they didn’t want to go.

‘The council are always shutting the roads. It’s a pain in the a**e but at least the people have been paid for it. It doesn’t frustrate me. I’m not a miserable old g*t like some of the people up there who seem to complain about everything.’

Thomas Broom, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, said the filming brought economic benefits to the village. 

He said in a statement: ‘Buckinghamshire has a strong track record of attracting film and TV productions, which bring economic benefits to local communities.

‘Buckinghamshire Council approved a temporary road closure for filming activity in Latimer following its usual notification, consultation and assessment processes.

‘The production company engaged with residents and local stakeholders throughout the planning process, and feedback helped shape measures to minimise disruption where reasonably practicable.

‘The closure has been approved to ensure filming can take place safely. 

‘Diversion routes will be in place to maintain access for residents, and all concerns raised were considered as part of the assessment process.’

Props and filming equipment are seen scattered beside a public road in Latimer

The first HBO series, based on J.K. Rowling’s debut Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is due to air on Christmas Day

And it’s not the first time filming for the series has sparked a neighbourhood row.

Residents in Springfield Gardens, Upminster, feared their street would become a tourist attraction after it was used for the role of Privet Drive.

Drones are believed to have been used to film the street last June, when crews visited the area’s mock-Tudor semi-detached homes. 

Locals claim they weren’t consulted before filming began, with one resident shocked to see her number plate had been posted on a Harry Potter Facebook page.

One father said he feared for the safety of his young children after he spotted people standing outside his house taking photos. 

The first HBO series, based on J.K. Rowling’s debut Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is due to air on Christmas Day.

Latimer is a historic Buckinghamshire village in the Chess Valley known for its role in British intelligence in World War II. 

It had a population of just under 1,000 people in the 2011 Census.

Latimer House, a grand 19th-century mansion, served as a top-secret MI5 and MI6 interrogation centre for high-ranking German prisoners of war. 

It is now open to the public as a hotel, wedding venue and conference centre. 

The Daily Mail has contacted Warner Bros for comment.