Roadworks over A12 in Essex are oldest on UK's major road network

The roadworks have been in place on Woodend Bridge in Witham, Essex, since 2015

A set of roadworks in place for eight years has been revealed as the longest running on the UK's major road network.

The temporary roadworks on Woodend Bridge over the A12 at Witham, Essex, were installed in 2015 after the bridge was damaged.

National Highways said any work to fully re-open the bridge would not happen until at least 2024-2025.

Local resident Michael Lager said the duration of the roadworks was "appalling".

A Freedom of Information request by the BBC to National Highways revealed the roadworks were the longest-running on the 4,500-mile network of motorways and major roads it has responsibility for.

It told the BBC the bridge on the B1389 was damaged in two separate incidents in 2014 and 2015.

The bridge takes traffic over the A12 to join the southbound carriageway, but there is also a turn leading to a kennels and cattery, as well as farmland.

The side of the bridge leading back towards Witham - for vehicles leaving the kennels or farmland - is protected by temporary lights and concrete barriers as it awaits repairs to the damaged beams.

The BBC has been told that traffic is often seen queuing at the temporary lights for several minutes at a time and that this has been happening regularly over the last eight years.

Woodend Bridge carries traffic over the A12 at the Witham South junction

Mr Lager said the roadworks were frustrating motorists "as there's all too often nothing coming the other way".

"It's causing completely unnecessary delays," Mr Lager told BBC Essex.

"It's quite amazing that nothing at all has happened, despite all of the promises."

Alistair McColm, owner of Latney's kennels and cattery, said: "We were told they would be in place for six months up to a year.

"I dread to think what it's cost them to run the lights for eight years."

Kennel owner Alistair McColm does not believe the repairs will ever be carried out

Mr McColm said he and his staff often received abuse from motorists over delays caused by the roadworks, but pointed out that farmers also needed to use the bridge back into Witham as well.

He said he did not believe repairs would ever be carried due to the widening of the A12, which could see the demolition of Woodend Bridge.

National Highways said any work to fully re-open the bridge "won't happen until 2024-2025 and will be subject to availability of funds".

A spokesperson said: "We understand that it's not ideal when traffic management has been in place for so long, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused to motorists and the local community.

"Our aim is to find a suitable solution to the issue in the coming months and move forward with a permanent fix."