MORE than a dozen roads across Southend and Leigh have been hit by temporary traffic lights and roadworks as part of £50 million plans to boost internet in homes and businesses in the area.

Residents and workers have been left complaining about disruption due to the £50 million CityFibre project to install a full fibre network.

However, many have insisted it is necessary for long-term improvements.

A total of 14 roads in Southend and Leigh are currently being impacted by temporary traffic lights, as the project takes place to provide a state-of-the-art internet network.

Bosses say it will provide better efficiency, unlock millions of pounds in productivity and innovation, as well as increasing house values.

Graham Bridnell, 57, owner of Schmootees café in London Road, Leigh said: “It’s causing some disruption to traffic and it’s meant our footfall is slightly down too.

“It is having a knock-on effect on traffic flow but I think it’s a necessary evil as we need the works done.”

A resident of Westcliff Park Drive said: “We are all fed up with it now and we have to go back and forth and waste time at traffic lights. We’ve all had enough now.”

Aston Line, Labour councillor for Westborough, said it will have huge benefits.

He said: “The upgrade works cause a significant amount of disruption and inconvenience, but the final result will see the installation of high-speed fibre optic broadband in areas that have been asking for it for years. I am sure that it will be worth the hassle in the long run.”

Full Fibre networks use 100 per cent fibre optic cables to carry data at light speed all the way from the home to the point of connection.

A spokesman at CityFibre said: “We have introduced temporary traffic lights to manage traffic flow and while in the short-term there is local disruption, we are confident that this is outweighed by the huge benefits of bringing full fibre to Southend. We thank residents and commuters for their patience.”

Roadworks are being carried out in:

- London Road, Leigh

- Wenham Drive Southend

- Inverness Avenue, Southend

- Glenwood Avenue, Southend

- Beedell Avenue, Southend

- Westcliff Park Drive, Southend

- Northview Drive, Southend

- Electric Avenue, Southend

- Southview Drive, Southend

- Tintern Avenue, Southend

- Ronald Park Avenue, Southend

- Fleetwood Avenue Southend

- Hildaville Drive Southend

- Westbourne Grove Southend.