Motorists were today warned to brace themselves for 16 weeks of tailbacks and disruption during vital gas works on the A13 into Southend.

Drama - drivers faced this misery today outside Westcliff's Palace Theatre Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Drivers found themselves stuck in a traffic jam as early as 6.30am today with queues during last night's rush hour reaching as far back as Chalkwell.

The first stage of the work to improve gas supplies to homes and business has started in London Road at the junction with Valkyrie Road and will continue along the A13 until April.

Steve Bunker, network operations manager for Transco, said: "It is vital this work is carried out if local homes and businesses want to continue to benefit from a reliable and enhanced gas supply."

Transco is replacing old metal mains with plastic ones as part of an ongoing programme across the town ahead of the council's forthcoming enhancement scheme for the A13.

Rodney Oldham, owner of Oldham's fish and chip restaurant in West Road, said: "It is progress and something that has to be done.

"We have had a lot of disruption in the last few years and I always think what a pain it is. But the traffic runs smoother when they have finished."

Published Tuesday January 6, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo