DRIVERS and residents can find out more about plans to widen the A13 at a series of drop-in information events next week.

The £79million project – one of the largest local authority-managed road schemes in the country – will involve widening a 2.3 mile section of the A13 from two to three lanes in both directions.

The work will take place between the A128 – Orsett Cock roundabout – and the A1014 – The Manorway, Stanford-le-Hope.

Mark Coxshall, councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “This section of the A13 is currently operating over capacity, with approximately 77,000 vehicles using the road on a daily basis.

“Once the A13 scheme is completed there will be a continuous 3-lane carriageway from the M25 to Stanford-le-Hope, reducing congestion, improving journey times and supporting further economic growth.”

Preparation works started in December 2017 and will continue throughout this autumn and winter, with main on-road works expected to start in early 2019.

The scheme – which also includes replacing four existing bridges and improvements to the Orsett Cock roundabout – is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2020.

The drop-in sessions come just a week after more major improvements to the A13 were announced.

Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport, announced that new slip roads will be created on the eastern side of the existing junction between the A13 and A126 at Lakeside during the Conservative Party Conference last week.

The scheme will enable traffic to enter and exit Lakeside to the east on the A13 without having to use junction 30 of the M25.

Ahead of the main works starting, residents are being encouraged to come along to one of the following drop-in public information events:

*Monday October 15, from 2pm to 8pm – East Thurrock Community Association, 77 Corringham Road, Stanford-le-Hope, SS17 0NU

*Tuesday October 16, from 2pm to 8pm – Horndon Methodist Church Hall, High Road, Horndon on the Hill, SS17 8LN

*Friday October 19, from 2pm to 8pm – Orsett Churches Centre, High Road, Orsett, RM16 3ER