WORK on a busy A127 junction will not be fully complete until December...six months behind schedule.

Work to widen both carriageways at the Kent Elms junction, in Leigh, to three lanes was initially scheduled to be completed by late spring - but this was later pushed back to September. Southend Council blamed National Grid for taking six weeks to move a gas main, firm insisted it did not impact the highways work.

The council has now confirmed the whole project, which involves installing a new footbridge, will not be complete until December. This is due to delays in finding a contractor to build the bridge.

The spokesman said: “Work on the Southend-bound carriageways is still scheduled to complete before the school summer holidays with work on the London-bound carriageway due to continue into the Autumn.

“We have received bids for a new footbridge and are currently in the process of evaluating them.

He added: “We anticipate that the bridge will be assembled off-site and swiftly constructed in modules in the autumn, with work completing before Christmas. This method of assembly will keep the number and duration of lane closures to a minimum at this point.”

Stephen Aylen, an independent councillor for Belfairs ward, called on highways contractors to work round-the-clock to get the job finished.

He said: “I can’t understand how badly this has been handled.

“So many businesses are losing out because of this and The Fairway is jammed solid sometimes now as people avoid the A127. There are huge lorries using the residential road. We’ve asked for 7.5 tonne restriction signs but we’re still waiting.”

Mr Aylen added: “The solution to this problem is 24-hour working on this project until it is done. They say they won’t do that because it would disturb residents at night but I’m sure they would rather see the work complete. Noone has even asked them.”