A12 roadworks bring weeks of closures near Colchester

Both the northbound and southbound carriageways between East Bergholt and Capel St Mary are shut to traffic from 9pm until 5am every night until Thursday, July 21.

The carriageways will then be closed again during the same times between Sunday, August 25 and Friday, September 1.

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Roadworks have been causing tailbacks and delays due to 13 miles of ongoing work between junctions for East Bergholt and Marks Tey.

National Highways says the work is to improve safety barriers, resurface the road and improve drainage and is expected to continue until September.

Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin has said he is engaging with the Highways Agency about the delays.

Sir Bernard Jenkin

"I am looking into this and making contact with the Highways Agency,” he said.

"It is so understandable that people are frustrated by delays they feel are unnecessary."

National Highways, which maintains the A12, says tackling the problem in phases would take longer.

A spokesman said: "These works include barrier replacement, drainage renewal, resurfacing, road studs, road lining placement and other safety improvements. The work is essential, will contribute to the life expectancy of the road and make journeys safer for road users.

"We understand there is never an ideal time to complete this sort of work.

"The reason National Highways is undertaking the work in one block rather than multiple phases is to minimise the disruption to drivers, residents and businesses.

"Once the maintenance work is complete in September, we won’t need to revisit this stretch of road again for a number of years.

"The alternative option would be to complete the maintenance work in phases. However, this would dramatically extend the lifespan of the project meaning people would face disruption for multiple years rather than months."