ESSEX County Council (ECC) has issued an apology for the poor road surface on the main road between the A12 and Danbury - a key route for drivers travelling to and from Maldon.

Some of the materials used in re-surfacing work to the road - the A414 - between Danbury and Junction 18 of the A12, have failed to harden properly in the hot weather. This has created what is described by the ECC as "a poor surface".

In a statement issued today (Friday, 18 June) and Ecc spokesperson said: "Essex Highways would like to apologise for the problems and reassure residents and road users that we are working to put it right.

"We are also aware that our automated online reporting system has been generating incorrect emails suggesting that no new works are planned. If you have received one of these then please be reassured that this is in error."

Problem sections of road include the Danbury or east-bound lane from Hulls Lane where surface dressing material has not stuck properly and has been lifted by traffic. The section of surface dressing in Danbury from Riffhams Lane towards Well Lane will need repairs in both directions.

Remedial works will almost certainly involve full resurfacing, where the existing road surface is planed off and new asphalt laid. This work requires a full road closure and can be done at night to keep traffic disruption to a minimum.

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: "I apologise to all local residents and drivers and cyclists who use this road. We have tried to keep the potential issues to a minimum, for example dusting the tarry "binder" material in the recent hot weather and putting out warning signs, but we do need to repair the road properly.

"We believe most of the problem was caused by work taking place in temperatures where our materials haven't worked properly, together with other unrelated works creating standing traffic on the new surface.

"I am insisting now that this issue is given priority, and I know our managers are working hard to programme the full resurfacing work in the next few weeks that will resolve the problem as soon as possible and give us an excellent, safe road with no potholes for years."