CONCERNED councillors say "human nature" could mean small lanes across Colchester are used by drivers trying to avoid an official diversions for A120 work.  

National Highways will be carrying out road surveys on the A120 between Crown Interchange and Little Bentley roundabout in July in preparation of the works. 

The Life Extension Work costing £11.4 million pounds is set to take place on the old concrete road this year to extend the life of the track by 'three to five' more years.

A spokesman for National Highways said: "The actual repairs are scheduled to be started from 16th September and it is expected to be completed by January 9.

"The current design will extend the life of the road by three to five years.

"This scheme will include the breakout and replacement of concrete bays (100 numbers), local repairs and replacement of road markings and studs."

For the preparation works the A120 eastbound will be closed from July 15 to July 19 and westbound will be shut from July 22 to July 26. 

Throughout both closures, work will be carried out between 10.30pm and 4am each night. 

As part of the works drivers will be taken on diversions of up to 20 miles long across Colchester and into Tendring.

Dennis Willets, Lexden and Braiswick ward councillor, said: "They have done a sterling piece of work getting advisory signs in West Colchester, with signs on where to go and which roads to use even if the sat navs say not to.

"National Highways has pulled out all the stops to put out the diversion signs but it's human nature for the people who can cut through the lanes will do so.

"A12 work saw one-lane roads choked with HGV's which was unacceptable. 

"Whether it will be happening when the A120 work begins I'm not sure but I have great concerns about the use of country lanes but I don't see any practical way of stopping it. 

"It primarily is a human nature problem, you can ask people not to use country lanes and National Highways can put signs on every country lane in the area but whether that is going to stop people cutting down the time remains to be seen."

Eastbound traffic will travel to junction 26, turn back to head north on the A12 to come off at junction 27 to pick up the A133.

They will then take this through Elmstead Market, turn left at the traffic lights onto Bromley Road/Harwich road to re-join the A120 at Little Bentley roundabout.

Westbound traffic will travel to Harwich Road/Bromley Road to Elmstead Market, turn left at the traffic lights, turn right towards Colchester on the A133, take this road through to Spring Lane roundabout and take the entry slip road to join the A12 to continue the journey.