MAJOR traffic disruption and overnight road closures are expected on a busy commuting route out of Colchester, with renovations due to start at the end of August.

National Highways, the body responsible for maintaining motorways and major A roads throughout England, has confirmed it is to go ahead with an upgrade to the A12 between Marks Tey and Stanway at a cost of £35 million.

And although the works are expected to result in an improved journey for drivers, a spokesman for National Highways said the roadworks might not be finished until 2024 if weather conditions aren’t favourable.

The news will be a blow to commuters, who have already been hit with roadworks and 40mph speed restrictions on the A12 from Spring Lane roundabout towards Stanway and onwards to Marks Tey.

Gazette:

Major works are now set to begin on the same stretch of road on Tuesday, August 30, when National Highways will tear up and then replace the road surface between junction 25 at Marks Tey and junction 26 in Stanway.

As well as resurfacing the road, the project will also see replacement kerbs installed, the drainage system refurbished, safety barriers replaced, as well the placing of new road markings and new reflective road studs – better known as cat’s eyes – on the road.

Gazette:

Overnight closures are expected for at least the first two weeks of the renovations.

The roadworks mean a contraflow arrangement will be put in place on the road, where the traffic will be directed in the opposite direction than it would normally flow to complete the refurbishments.

Martin Fellows, the regional director at National Highways, admitted using the road throughout the duration of the roadworks would be a chore.

He said: "This scheme is part of National Highways continued investment into upgrading the road surface of the A12 so it can continue to serve the 80,000 drivers who use it every day.

"We appreciate that living, working or travelling in and around the stretch of road while this major construction takes place might not be easy, but we will do all we can to minimise disruption and make sure the benefits are experienced as soon as possible."

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