Traffic has been backed up to halfway down Maldon High Street and Market Hill this afternoon (August 24).

There have been reports of significant traffic jams in the centre of Maldon over the last couple of days. Roadworks are being carried out on Market Hill, so three-way traffic lights were in place at the mini roundabout on Maldon High Street.

A spokesperson for Essex County Highways told Nub News: "The roadworks in Maldon at the top of Market Hill are immediate roadworks requested by UKPN to repair a mains cable.

"The traffic management changed from three-way traffic lights to a full road closure today, for the safety of the public and workforce while the essential work is carried out.

"The permit for these works is scheduled to end on Friday (26 August)."

Some motorists are turning their cars around and going back the other way, to try to avoid the traffic.

Tempers are frayed, with occasional honking heard from frustrated drivers.

By 3.15pm, the roads were almost completely jammed. One resident said it took her 30 minutes to get into Maldon High Street from Heybridge. That journey would usually take around 10 minutes when not in rush hour.

If you would like to have your say regarding the road works, get in touch.