Traffic chaos caused by two sets of roadworks (From Echo)

Traffic chaos caused by two sets of roadworks

6:00pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Castle Point By Paul Offord

Congestion – traffic queuing near Benfleet Station after the start of roadworks

DRIVERS were stuck in traffic chaos when workers started carrying out two different sets of roadworks close to Benfleet station yesterday morning.

Essex County Council contractors began work approaching Benfleet Bridge, off Canvey Road, Canvey, and outside Benfleet station, also in Ferry Road.

This caused lengthy tailbacks for motorists trying to get off the island, along Ferry Road yesterday morning, which was particularly upsetting for commuters hoping to park near the station and catch a train to London. These are now finished.

Dave Blackwell, leader of Canvey Independent Party, said: “I can’t understand why they would have two roadworks so close to each other at the same time.

“The temporary traffic lights at both roadworks weren’t co-ordinating with each other, so it made the situation even worse. It was absolute chaos.”

About 200 yards of Canvey Road, from Waterside Farm recycling plant to Benfleet Bridge, was reduced from two lanes to a single lane and traffic was controlled at either end by temporary traffic lights.

It is understood this was to allow unsightly metal railings to be removed along the stretch of road, as part of ongoing measures to create a better first impression for people driving on to Canvey.

About a 50-yard stretch of Ferry Road outside Benfleet Station was also reduced to one lane, to allow for road re-surfacing work, with access again controlled by temporary lights.

Mr Blackwell was stuck in a traffic jam stretching all the way from Ferry Road and past Waterside Farm roundabout to Canvey Road at 10.30am yesterday. He timed the temporary lights, situated before the roadworks approaching Benfleet Bridge.

Mr Blackwell said: “I would say it took them four minutes to change, which meant traffic was brought to a standstill throughout that time. It was an absolute nightmare for buses.”

Tracey Chapman, county councillor responsible for highways and transportation said: “Both sets of works commenced at the same time which will minimise the disruption placed on the area. Special traffic measures were also put in place on both sites.”