Greenstead roundabout closure frustrates drivers amid traffic chaos

Overnight closures began on the A134, between the Greenstead Road and Elmstead Road roundabouts, close to Colne Causeway, Hythe, last Monday.

The busy road is closed between 8pm and 6am until October 21 while Essex Highways completes improvement works.

Residents have grown frustrated as the work should’ve been completed already, with the start date originally set for May.

Closed - the A134 between the Elmstead Road and Greenstead roundabouts (Image: Google)

Old Heath resident Dave Smith’s frustrations grew as he dropped his granddaughter at school last week and got caught in severe traffic.

Despite the school run being out of the planned times for the roadworks, Mr Smith claimed traffic cones had been left blocking two lanes, resulting in bottlenecks across the area.

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He also said he’d been caught in “bumper to bumper traffic” returning home from work just after 8pm one night and had become aware of drivers abusing the bus gate in nearby Hythe Station Road to avoid the congestion.

The businessman added: “This work has to be done, but could they not shorten it to 10pm to 6am when there will be far less cars using the route?”

Troublesome - traffic queued on Colne Causeway after roadworkers reportedly failed to clear cones on the A134 (Image: Public)

Lee Scordis, who is a county councillor for the area, agreed starting the roadworks later in the evening would be “more appropriate”.

He explained: “This is one of the busiest areas for traffic in Colchester and it’s used by lots of people who start work early or finish later.

“Lots of residents travel further afield for work to areas like Clacton, so the area is generally still busy when the roadworks start at 8pm.”

Essex Highways said the resurfacing and relining works will bring "significant benefits" while improving the overall quality and safety of the road.

A spokesman added: “We understand that roadworks taking place in your local area is never convenient.

"However, they are necessary, and reducing the hours of work on site will only increase the duration of the scheme.

“We would like to remind residents that the bus gate is not part of the diversion route for these works and may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice for any unauthorised vehicle that uses it.”