Frustrated motorists have their fingers crossed hoping there will be no repeat of yesterday's traffic chaos when major roadworks start on the A127 tomorrow.

Long-suffering commuters struggled home to Southend last night - some journeys from Basildon took two hours - after the Arterial was closed Southend-bound from the A130 to the Rayleigh Weir for most of the day due to a major gas leak.

One lane was reopened during peak rush-hour - but it wasn't enough to stop a traffic nightmare.

Now motorists fear they will have to endure horrendous journeys from tomorrow - when £1 million roadworks between Rayleigh Weir and the A130 start.

Gas engineers Transco today apologised for the major hold-ups Southend-bound - but said the London-bound closure during early morning rush-hour yesterday was nothing to do with them.

Gas engineers worked through the night to ensure the carriageway was reopened fully this morning.

The problems started on Tuesday night when gas workers were called out to repair a minor leak on the stretch of road between the A130 turn-off and the busy Rayleigh Weir.

It is believed the workers accidentally ripped a main gas line causing a major leak. Passing motorists said they could smell gas even with the windows shut.

Traffic was diverted via the A13, A130 and through Rayleigh but areas quickly became gridlocked as motorists used a variety of back routes and rat runs to try to beat the jams.

Southend, parts of Basildon, Rayleigh, Benfleet, Hadleigh and routes through Hullbridge became snarled up.

A spokesman for Rayleigh traffic police said: "The traffic was diabolical. As a result of the closure, Sadlers Farm in Benfleet and the Carpenters Arms in Rayleigh were gridlocked last night."

Motorists listening to radio traffic reports in the their cars were urged to try to find alternative routes.

Delays ahead

From tomorrow, and for the rest of the month, the A127 will be subject to the following restrictions between the Rayleigh Weir and the A130 interchange:

London bound:

5am-10am - both lanes open

10am-5pm - single lane closure

5pm-9pm - minimum one lane open

9pm-5am - full carriageway closure

Weekends - single lane closure from 10am on Friday until 5am on Monday morning. Full carriageway closure 9pm to 5am.

Southend-bound:

3pm to 8pm - two lanes operational

8pm to 10pm - minimum one lane open

10pm to 6am - full carriageway closure

6am to 3pm - minimum one lane open

Weekends - single lane closure from 8pm Friday until 3pm on Monday afternoon. Full carriageway closure 10pm to 6am.

NOTE: Full carriageway closure will only be permitted at night and in one direction at any one time

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