COLCHESTER was plunged into traffic chaos this morning due to “overrunning” A12 roadworks which resulted in gridlock traffic across the city.

Standstill and slow traffic was a common sight across Colchester due to scheduled National Highways works not finishing on time.

The A12 London-bound between junction 26 for Stanway and junction 25 for Marks Tey was being worked on as part of National Highways' ongoing reconstruction scheme.

Overnight closure works were meant to be finished by 6am but an “element of the road surface laid overnight had not dried sufficiently enough to carry traffic” which led to the delays.

A12 - an older image of the roadworks from Marks TeyA12 - an older image of the roadworks from Marks Tey (Image: Newsquest)

As a result, there was massive delays not just on parts of the A12 but across the city.

Roads were plunged to a halt on the business park, in the city centre, and more.

A statement from National Highways explained it was “working as hard as it can” to get the road reopened as soon as possible.

However wasn’t until past 11am that all lanes of the A12 were reopened, with congestion remaining back to the Junction 29 at the A120 and Ardleigh Interchange as well as on surrounding roads.

Congestion - traffic in Balkerne HillCongestion - traffic in Balkerne Hill (Image: Newsquest)Many residents were left frustrated by the chaos, with most seeing  their morning commute heavily affected.

Shane Jones said: “Sorry isn't good enough anymore, are they going to give us money back for the fuel we have burnt sitting in start-stop traffic?

“These stupid roadworks have gone on for eternity.”

Traffic - Balkerne HillTraffic - Balkerne Hill (Image: Newsquest) Mary Arm said: “It took me two and 15 minutes to travel five miles to work. Highwoods to Lexden. How is this allowed to happen.”

Meanwhile, Stanway Parish Councillor Wayne Tearle emailed the parish clerk to add this situation on to its next full council meeting on September 26.

He said: “Stanway is suffering with constant traffic problems, public transport delays, and its environment with more pollution in the area with traffic jams everywhere.

“Enough is enough, we need action from National Highways as soon as possible.”

A spokesman for National Highways said yesterday: “We apologise for overrunning roadworks on the southbound A12 this morning between Stanway junction 26 and Marks Tey junction 25.

“We appreciate the impact this has on people who rely on this section of road, and we are sorry for the disruption this has caused.”