HIGHWAYS bosses have been criticised for taking so long to complete bridge repair works over the summer holidays.

Beeches Bridge, in Beeches Road, between Hullbridge and Battlesbridge, needs to be strengthened so it can hold 44 tonnes.

Traffic has been queueing the length of Rawreth Lane as motorists attempt to bypass the closure, causing long delays on the A130 and A1245.

The bus from Hullbridge to Sweyne Park School, in Rayleigh, was late for the first two mornings of the term.

Michael Hoy, a Rochford councillor, said: “I find it absolutely incredible it takes 13 weeks to strengthen the bridge.

“During the summer I have heard people saying it takes them an extra two hours to get home from work at about 6pm.”

Mr Hoy successfully applied for the work to be moved from October last year so the impact would be minimised by the summer holidays.

Nicola Welch, assistant headteacher at Sweyne Park, said: “A number of pupils have been late due to the buses.

“The bus company has been in contact to apologise and, of course, the pupils will not be penalised because it was situation out of their control.”

Essex County Council said the work will be completed by the end of September.

Mr Hoy has been told the bridge will not be reopened until October 14.

Gary Congram, a village historian in Hullbridge, is starting an e-petition on the county council’s website for a traffic survey to be carried out. He said: “The delays have been really bad.

“It’s taken 20 minutes just to get out of the village and it is getting worse.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the scheduled work.

“A full road closure is needed for the duration of the works, however, a diversion has been signposted via Watery Lane.

“We anticipate these works will be completed by the end of September.”