Just imagine how far behind they would be with the Sadlers Farm roadworks if we had suffered a typically wet winter (March 28).

I remember saying at the very start of the project that they would never make their finish target.

Having lived in Kent through the massive roadworks on the M2, A2 and others, I can safely say the Sadlers Farm scheme has to be the worst managed roadworks I have ever encountered.

It’s obvious the roundabout works have been brought forward to speed things up (sorry, there is an irony in that) and the work should never have been started until at least the eastbound A130 spur had been completed.

The only person who seems to have any delusions about this finishing anywhere near to schedule is Essex county councillor Tracey Chapman, whose record of defending the indefensible is becoming legendary.

As the Echo says, it is time for the truth and maybe a little respect may come from it.

Terry Brett
Creek Road
Canvey

...I wrote in the Echo (Feb 16) that I thought the work on the above scheme was not running to schedule, even though Tracey Chapman tried to reassure everyone the work was on time.

It now seems my suspicions were correct and I think I must point out her regeneration survey in Hadleigh, which wasted £30,000 when carried out last November, will be another waste of time and money if it is carried out before the completion of Sadlers Farm!

The present scheme overlooked the better days, when we had the five mini roundabouts at the junctions, which gave motorists the option of which way round they wished to travel.

When this version was first suggested, both a close friend of mine and I were sceptical about the proposal, but we had to eat our words when it was completed and worked well.

The only trouble was when the new dual carriageway A130 was opened between Sadlers and Chelmsford.

Many poor souls who previously suffered numerous delays into London on the A12, found there was a wonderful escape route via the new road and the A13 which would take them all the way to the first hold-up at the traffic lights at the Ship and Shovel junction at Barking, before sweeping on to the next possible delays at Canning Town.

The vast number of vehicles sweeping down to Sadlers Farm, meant traffic to and from the new road stopped existing users on the other four junctions getting into the traffic flow.

If only this scheme had been limited to providing an underpass from the A130 to A13. The mini roundabouts would, I think, have still been able to carry out their task.

Brian Keeler
Greenwood Avenue
Benfleet

...Is it not time for Tracey Chapman to step down from her position as Essex county councillor responsible for roads?

The farcical roadworks at Sadlers Farm are bringing misery to residents of Castle Point.

Are the contractors not on a penalty clause? If not, why not? If so, what is going to be done with the penalty?

Richard Dengel
Heilsburg Road
Canvey