Day-trippers, DIY fanatics and bikers caused bank holiday chaos as they jammed the A127.

Choking traffic congestion created some of the worst jams seen so far this year and traffic police today warned things are only set to get worse as the summer arrives.

Traffic police also said the lack of police motorbikes could mean it takes far longer to clear any snarl-ups on the major roads to the seaside.

Cars queued nose to tail between Nevendon and Southend on the troubled A127, while Basildon-bound, motorists queued to get into Alton garden centre in North Benfleet.

There was little relief to be found on the A13 - that too was at a standstill.

PC Paul Spoons of Laindon traffic police said: "Once again Monday was a bank holiday nightmare on the roads for drivers.

"There was the added rush to the garden centres and DIY stores which, combined with the regular pilgrimage to the seafront, meant no-one got to go anywhere with ease."

PC Spoons said the volume of bank holiday traffic was more than twice than normal.

He said: "Thankfully all the accidents were minor ones. This was a busy day but it will only get worse from here."

The traffic chaos on the A127 was not helped by a huge convoy of caring bikers who took to the road to take part in a rally and charity balloon launch for Little Haven children's hospice.

Hundreds of motorcyclists met at the seafront, stopping en masse at Basildon's Fortune of War pub on the way.

PC Spoons added: "The bikes didn't help matters. Drivers were distracted by what was going on."

Derek Bunker, owner of Alton Garden Centre, said Friday, Saturday and Monday were exceptionally busy days as the centre had to close on Sunday.

He said: "Under law if a garden centre has a shop floor area of more than 2,000 square feet it is not allowed to open on Easter Sunday."

The fine weather over the Easter bank holiday ensured Southend's Golden Mile was as busy as ever.

Peter Pan's Adventure Island was heaving with fun-seekers as thousands streamed through its gates for days of thrills and spills.

A spokesman for the seafront park said: "It was absolutely packed all over the Easter weekend.

"It was literally standing room only from Good Friday through to bank holiday Monday."

Kevin Chinnery, of Chinnery's along Southend seafront and chairman of the Southend Seafront Illuminations and Business Association, said the Easter weekend was terrific.

He said: "The weather was not as good as the weathermen predicted but the public seemed to enjoy Southend regardless.

"I don't know anyone who had a bad time."

Cruising - bikers added to the chaos during a charity ride to the seafront

Picture: MIKE NEVILLE

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.