A CONSTRUCTION foreman who confronted a driver cutting across a central reservation to beat a traffic jam has said he has been left "livid" by her lenient punishment.

Andrew Craig, who is a contractor working to deliver National Highways’ A12 resurfacing project, had to intervene after a woman moved traffic cones separating two Colchester-bound lanes at Marks Tey.

Bemused drivers watched on as she brazenly manoeuvred her green Ford Fiesta through the no man's land between lanes and attempted to join the flowing traffic.

After being caught on camera, the 66-year-old from south London, was fined £100, with the money ultimately being donated to a road safety charity.

Gazette: Angry - Andrew Craig intervened after a woman moved traffic cones separating two Colchester-bound lanes at Marks TeyAngry - Andrew Craig intervened after a woman moved traffic cones separating two Colchester-bound lanes at Marks Tey (Image: Public)

But Mr Craig, 54, said the punishment for the driver was far too lenient, adding she should have been fined much more money and given points on her licence.

He said: “I told her 'you’ve put my life at risk and you’ve put other people’s lives at risk' – she could’ve caused a fatality.

“She should have got a three-month driving ban and a much bigger fine.

“I’m livid more than anything; I’m in shock [about the punishment] because the offence is there in black and white.

“I got a £100 fine for jumping an amber light, but for her to get £100 and a slap on the wrists, and that’s the end of it?”

Gazette: Dangerous – Andrew Craig said the driver could have caused a fatality with her actionsDangerous – Andrew Craig said the driver could have caused a fatality with her actions (Image: Social Media)

The traffic jam which the driver was trying to avoid had been caused by an accident further up the A12 near Colchester.

Mr Craig has now raised further concerns after saying accidents taking place near roadworks are becoming commonplace.

He added: “When I did an interview on the six o’clock news the day after the incident, there was another big accident and the woman had to go away in an ambulance – I’m seeing too much of it.

“When I saw it, I thought ‘what the hell are you doing?’

"If she had pulled through there, she would have been dead.

“She then said sorry and realised what she was doing and was all apologetic, then she put the window up.

"I think she was embarrassed more than anything.”

The roadworks are on schedule to finish by February next year, Mr Craig added.

“It’s progressing well; we had a total shutdown at the weekend so we can progress everything and we are on course to finish on time.”