Weather delays completion of A12 roadworks

The A12 is being rebuilt between junction 25 for Marks Tey and junction 26 for Stanway

Completion of work to rebuild a stretch of major road in Essex has been delayed because of poor weather and ground conditions, National Highways said.

The agency told the BBC last month it expected the A12 between junction 26 for Stanway and junction 25 for Marks Tey would reopen by the end of September.

But it has now confirmed the work, which began two years ago, will be completed by mid-October.

National Highways apologised for the delay and said it appreciated the additional disruption it would mean for road users and people living and working nearby.

The road remained closed between the two junctions towards London until about 11:00 BST on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for National Highways said this was "due to a planned overnight roadworks closure over-running their pre-agreed end time".

Louise Herbert was one of the motorists who got caught in the congestion while driving to her daughter's wedding.

"I should've been there at 08:00 this morning for make-up and hair... I should be with her enjoying the getting ready and the fussing and everything like that, and I'm stuck in a car," she told BBC Essex while stuck on the A12.

Several more overnight closures are planned in September, according to the National Highways website.

Work on the London-bound carriageway is expected to be completed next week.

'Smoother, safer, quieter'

Work started on 17 October 2022 and was originally planned to end in February this year, but was delayed because of "unexpected challenges".

Adam Aitchison, 43, from Stanway, often uses the route to get to work.

He said slip road closures during the project would sometimes add between 10 and 25 minutes to his journey.

"The progress signs say it's 95% complete, and I really hope they are right," he said.

National Highways said it needed to complete remedial work on an intermediary road layer, which had been in place for longer than anticipated because of weather and poorer ground conditions, before it could complete the reconstruction.

"When completed, this section of the A12 will be a smoother, safer and quieter road that will require less maintenance, reducing congestion and disruption for decades to come," a spokesperson added.

A Freedom of Information request made by the Daily Gazette earlier this year revealed the project was expected to cost £11m more than its £37m budget.