A MAJOR road in south Essex is set for closures from tonight as major emergency repairs take place.

The 40mph speed limit has been put in place on the A13 between the Five Bells interchange and Pitsea flyover - slashed from 70mph - for safety reasons due to “serious road deterioration”.

Now the road will be closed Southend-bound overnight from 9pm until 8am tomorrow while the "huge and dangerous" potholes in that stretch of the A13 are fixed.

A London-bound closure will be in place on Monday (March 18). Drivers are urged to follow the signed diversion route.

⛔️There will be an overnight road closure in place tonight (9pm to 8am) on the #A13 Eastbound carriageway from Five Bells to Pitsea flyover for carriageway surfacing works.

Essex County Council has been unable confirm when the road will return to its normal speed limit, despite being asked by the Echo, with emergency repairs taking place.

An Essex Highways spokesman told the Echo earlier this week: “A 40 mile per hour speed limit has been put in place between the Five Bells Interchange and the Pitsea flyover because of serious road surface deterioration and it was considered dangerous for drivers to travel at the national speed limit along this stretch.

“The road is being inspected and a lane closure is likely to be put in place so repairs can be carried out to prevent further deterioration.”