Due to overruns in scheduled roadworks, the A12 is closed today morning (September 17). Motorists are facing major delays as traffic has ground to a standstill on the southbound carriageway since the road is closed.
The area that is closed is from junction 25 A120 (Marks Tey) to junction 26 A1124 Essex Yeomanry Way (Eight Ash Green / Tollgate interchange). Around 5.15 am, word of the road restriction was initially received.
The congestion is running back to junction 29 at the Crown Interchange. There is currently no access southbound from junction 27 Spring Lane/Colchester.
Last night, A12 received a new road surface as part of continuous National Highways work to update and improve nearby roadways. Though the work was supposed to be finished overnight, the road remained blocked this morning due to the sluggish drying of the pavement, which made it unsafe for drivers to use during rush hour and resulted in significant delays.
The route between J25 and J26 had been closed all morning, but according to Inrix, it has now reopened. Even though commuter lanes are now free, traffic is still moving slowly as it starts to move.
According to National Highways, works are being completed on a number of Essex roads, in order to have longer lasting carriageways, which need fewer repairs.
On the National Highways website, they address the roadworks on A12, commenting: “We’ll be reconstructing the A12 between Marks Tey and Stanway (between junctions 25 and 26) with work starting on 17 October 2022. Reconstruction will involve completely removing the concrete road surface and some of the foundations, before rebuilding the road and resurfacing it with asphalt.
“We’ll be using innovative new ways of working and new technology to provide a modern road that will last for decades to come. This will also make it easier and quicker for us to carry out repairs in the future.”
