Three major roads in Heybridge have been closed since Monday (July 25) as developers install utility connections at the new Westcombe Park development, causing 'chaos' for locals.

Yesterday, local road users expressed their frustration at 'nightmare' traffic in and around Maldon during rush hour, due to temporary closures on Maypole Road, Langford Road, and Holloway Road.

Essex County Council has warned there will also be overnight closures along Broad Street Green in early October, to connect a new roundabout to the existing road. The works will complete the new relief road between Langford Road and Broad Street Green. Buses will be escorted through the closure.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council told Nub News the relief road will create "new and vital infrastructure within the area to alleviate traffic congestion".

A map showing the temporary closure of Maypole Road, along with the new relief road between Langford Road and Broad Street Green.

Contractors working on behalf of Countryside, such as TriConnex, have apparently combined two large pieces of work and used the school holidays to "keep disruption to a minimum".

The spokesperson added: "Given the size of excavations required to install services, and the narrow nature of Maypole Road, it is not possible or safe for the road to remain open during the works.

"We would advise drivers to take additional care when travelling in the area and allow extra time."

"The developers have no concern or thought for the local impact."

Some locals have reported that the road closures have 'doubled' the length of their daily commute, as road users throughout Maldon and the surrounding areas face 'gridlock' during rush hour.

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Carole Johnson, a Heybridge resident, told Nub News: "I think the people of Maldon are sick of the destruction of our beautiful area by developers in pursuit of huge profits.

"The building of vast estates of crammed-in houses is not only ugly and destroying valuable wildlife habitat, but the roads of Maldon won't be able to cope with the extra cars that will create. Even with enlarged roundabouts and so-called 'link roads'.

"The current works are adding to the everyday chaos that is trying to get in and out of Maldon.

"It means extra time, miles, and petrol due to having to join the second gear crawl out of here!

"The diversions are an inconvenience having to do the big loop back round to get to the A12 or having to go via the Danbury route to Chelmsford.

"My job involves travelling to different towns in the area each day, so I'm incurring extra costs with fuel, wear and tear on the car as it's a stop-start crawl for the few miles in each direction, to escape or return.

"The developers have no concern or thought for the local impact."

The road closures are expected to remain in place until Sunday 4 September.

If you have been affected by the road closures, or live on one of the affected roads, please get in touch to share your thoughts on the situation.