A MASSIVE pothole closed a road in Billericay.

Norsey Road was closed in both directions after the pothole caused disruption to motorists.

The Highways Agency closed the road,between the St Andrews Drive junction and the Crown Road junction, causing slow traffic.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police were called shortly after 1pm to Norsey Road, Billericay, following reports of a large pothole.

Police informed the Highways Agency, who have closed the road and are now dealing with the incident.”

The closure follows County Hall announcing more than 140 crater-pocked roads across south Essex will benefit from £17.5million of repair work announced in a new Essex County Council programme.

The repairs will be partly funded by a £4.4million Government grant.

Norsey Road has not been flagged up for repair, with Tylers Avenue, Central Avenue, Glanmire, Graham Close, Greenway, Hillhouse Drive, Mons Avenue and Roman Way all set for funding in Billericay.

In Basildon borough alone, between 2008 and 2012, County Hall paid £1.2million compensation to 309 people who successfully claimed for pothole damage to cars and cycles. Billericay taxi driver Mark Waller said: “That is going to annoy people.

“Chapel Street is already closed for two weeks because of chimney repairs, so it means there are only two roads in and they are Norsey and Western Road.

“People who are trying to go round the back of the high street haven’t been able to do that. The council need to address it as soon as possible.”