MOTORISTS have been left frustrated by roadworks causing traffic disruption through Rayleigh.

Congestion has turned to gridlock at locations such as Progress Road, Rayleigh Road and Eastwood Road due to work being carried out.

Richard Lambourne, chairman of Rayleigh Action Group, is frustrated even more traffic has been caused by so many roads being worked on at the same time.

The 65-year-old, of Eastwood Road, said: “My main frustration is if you accept the National Grid have to do the work and make £5billion profit a year, why do they not get it done as quickly as possible?

“Why do they disappear over weekends and Bank Holidays?

“To a certain extent, I blame Essex County Council, who should tell the National Grid to get the work done on a 24/7 basis.

“They shouldn’t leave it so the lights break on a Bank Holiday, which results in motorists jumping the lights and causing minor crashes.”

Greater Anglia passengers are also set to face a four-month period of bus replacement services while engineering work is carried out.

The works will affect midweek commuters and run from June through until October.

And Richard believes the rail replacement bus services will be held up by roadworks.

He added: “There are no trains in the evenings soon and the rail replacement buses will be going through the roads with roadworks.

“It’s ridiculous because it will take longer for people to complete their journeys and it’s clear they haven’t taken this into account when planning the roadworks or train closures.”

Motorists have spoken of their experiences in the Rayleigh Action Group on Facebook.

Suzanne Mason, 59, said: “It is a nightmare for me as I live off London Road.

“I have now changed my route to Rettendon because it is a standstill from London Road to the Carpenters Arms.

“Half the time the lights don’t even work and there are often no workers in sight.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “There are works being carried out by Cadent Gas to repair and replace a gas main. They are correctly using three-way traffic lights on what is a very busy road, so at peak times there will inevitably be delays.

“Essex Highways permit officers have negotiated a reduced period of time for the works with Cadent.”