A major road is set to be closed from today so substantial roadworks can be carried out.

The Fairway, in Leigh, is one of the main access roads onto the A127, the gateway to the borough, and will be the subject of a daytime closure until Friday.

Motorists endured severe disruption from July until November in 2016 while National Grid carried out gas works and the closure had a major impact on congestion.

Tony Cox, Southend councillor responsible for transport, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience that these works cause.

“But The Fairway is a key secondary route in and out of the borough, and full road re-surfacing works are required that will start today and are scheduled to be completed within five days.

“Disruption will be kept to a minimum, and we have programmed this work to take place during the quieter half-term period.

“Diversions will be in place via Bellhouse Lane and access to properties will be maintained where possible.

“We appreciate that local residents and businesses experienced significant disruption in 2016 due to the gas mains works carried out by National Grid.

“That is why we decided not to carry out road resurfacing straight after that work as it would have meant another week of road closures and that was not suitable.”

The order is to temporarily close that length of The Fairway from its junction with Eastwood Road North to its junction with Eastwood Old Road.

Access to Eastwood Old Road and the petrol station will be maintained from the A127.

Barbara Hartley, who lives in The Fairway, said there was not enough clarity on what residents are going to do about parking during the road closure.

The 57-year-old, who works in Southend, said: “I normally leave for work at about 8.30am but I am now going need to leave earlier otherwise it seems I won’t be able to get my car off the driveway.

“What are the parents dropping their kids off at school going to do as well?

“It’s going to be a nightmare.”

The alternative routes will be via A127 Arterial Road, Bellhouse Lane and Eastwood Road North.