MOTORISTS have hit out at Essex County Council over chaos caused by road resurfacing.

Traffic ground to virtual standstill on Monday as drivers crawled along the A13 between the Pitsea flyover and the Sadlers Farm roundabout in a bid to minimise damage caused by loose gravel.

And it was a similar story yesterday during resurfacing on the A130, between Sadlers Farm and the A127.

The council says compensation claims will be considered, but it has left many angry motorists wondering why precautions were not taken to avoid the farce in the first place.

Trudie Childs, 47, a mum-of-five of Larup Avenue, Canvey, said the chippings left scratches all over her £10,000 Toyota Yaris and pitted its windscreen.

She said she fears a hefty repair bill when she takes the car in for an inspection.

Essex highways said the work was done outside peak hours to “minimise any inconvenience”.