Canvey is today bracing itself for a summer meltdown and traffic mayhem after it was revealed the island's busiest road will close for four weeks.
Emergency work is needed underneath Long Road, near Thames Road, because the island's main sewage trunk has cracked.
And the timing couldn't be worse as the work conicides with the improvements at Pitsea flyover that are already causing extra congestion.
Castle Point Council today confirmed the road would close this week, probably on Thursday, so the vital work can take place.
Ray Howard, chairman of the borough's highways and leisure, said: "These two (the flyover and Long Road) being worked on at the same time will compound problems on the island.
"Long Road is a very important part of our road network. Ultimately though this work simply has to be carried out - we can't have raw sewage leaking."
He added: "Anglian Water wanted to undertake its repair as from Thursday of last week. We at the council stated that the works be delayed until Thursday so that a diversionary route can be organised and as much advance notice can be given to our residents."
However businesses and residents on Canvey have been left horrified at the news, convinced traffic will "be hell" for the next month.
A spokesperson for the Knightswick Centre, in Furtherwick Road, said: "Businesses on Canvey have enough problems as it is, we really don't need this."
Published Monday August 9, 2004
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