MORNING lane closures will be in force at the A127 Tesco roundabout this week. (w/c Mon 16th) Southend Council has instructed its contractors to work during the morning rush hour because of half term, to press ahead with surfacing works.

It means that lane restrictions will be in place from 8.30am to 4.30pm, instead of 9.30am to 3.30pm.

It will mean that the work could be completed in five days, not seven days, ahead of an end of March finishing date for the whole project.

Independent Martin Terry, cabinet member for highways, said: “We are now reaching the final furlong in our work to upgrade the Tesco roundabout anyone who regularly uses it or lives nearby will see activity picking up pace over the coming weeks.

“This work is critical for increasing the capacity of our local highways network and will facilitate the construction of job-boosting business parks near the airport and the expansion of the airport itself.

“We’re determined that our contractors are good neighbours while this important work takes place. However, with projects of this scale, some disruption is inevitable.

“I’d like to thank local people and motorists for their understanding so far and ask that they continue to bear with until the end of March, when the new roundabout layout will be operational.”