WORK to upgrade the A127 Kent Elms junction shows no signs of completion despite being more than a year late.

Work on the London-bound carriageway had initially been scheduled to finish by late spring last year, alongside the completion of Southend-bound works.

However, severe delays by National Grid Gas diverting underground gas pipes saw the programme rescheduled to be finished by Christmas.

Further delays by Openreach – formerly BT Openreach – in diverting its underground cables during the summer – meant the council’s highways contractors were not be able to gain access to the highway to complete their work until late February 2018, setting back the completion of the work to this month.

However, workmen are still on the site and a planned footbridge is yet to be installed.

A council spokesman said: “Our contractor, Eurovia will continue with the construction of the new London bound lane.

“The new lane extends from the pedestrian crossing near Mendip Crescent to the bus stop passed Kent Elms junction.

“London bound off peak lane closures will continue to be in place between 9.30am and 3.30pm

“This will also have an impact on Bridgwater Drive as traffic management will be required to facilitate the installation of kerbs during off peak times.”

The spokesman added: “Works to the layby opposite Elms Close have finished and has been returned to residents for parking.

“Eurovia will continue to construct the footbridge foundations on the southern side and parking restrictions remain in place on Broomfield Avenue between 8am and 5pm. This is to reduce the risk of construction vehicles causing damage to parked cars when accessing the site along this narrow street.”

Kent-based NuSteel has produced the designs for the footbridge, and is now devising a delivery programme that would see the construction of the footbridge alongside the completion of the highways work. A crossing patrol will be maintained for schoolchildren until the new footbridge is open.