BROKEN traffic lights caused a day of chaos for motorists in Basildon.

The temporary lights in Netherymayne were out of order following a crash shortly before 11.30am today, and a fault meant they remained stuck on red when they were switched back on an hour later.

Traffic built up towards the Five Bells roundabout, In Vange, and back up towards Basildon town centre.

Two drivers were left with minor injuries during the collision.

A seven month programme of roadworks along Nethermayne began in September, with sets of traffic lights installed in a bid to control vehicles using the busy carriageway.

The £3.4million scheme, designed to ease congestion around Basildon Hospital, includes extra lanes being created in both directions.

Cabbie Ralph Morgan, spokesman for the Basildon Hackney Carriage Association, said: “Because the lights were red no one was moving and even when they realised the lights must be stuck no one really knew what to do. Everyone was beeping and there were just queues everywhere. It was chaos, an absolute nightmare.

“I rang the police control room because I didn’t know what else to do, but it took ages for anything to get sorted. This isn’t the first time it’s happened, and the problem on a weekend is it’s hard to get hold of anyone.

“Nethermayne is the main route for ambulances going to Basildon Hospital, so we can’t really afford to have it blocked up.”

The lights were later switched off completely, helping the queues to ease, before they were eventually repaired by 4pm.