Motorists have been told to expect disruption next month as a major road in south Benfleet closes for “vital works”.

Essex Way will shut for 17 days from March 29 as mains replacement works are carried out as part of a £3.4million gas network project in Benfleet and Canvey.

Echo: Celebrations - the opening of the Colvin Bridge on Canvey in May 1931 Photo courtesy of the Canvey Community Archive Celebrations - the opening of the Colvin Bridge on Canvey in May 1931 Photo courtesy of the Canvey Community Archive (Image: Canvey Community Archive)

Benfleet and Canvey motorists are, unfortunately, no stranger to road chaos.

Until Canvey’s first bridge – the Colvin Bridge – was opened in 1931, the only way to get from Benfleet to the island was by crossing Benfleet Creek via stepping stones at low tide, via a rowing-boat ferry or a gravel causeway.

Echo: Set to come down - a worker on the new Canvey Bridge eyes the old Colvin Bridge in 1973, which was due to be demolishedSet to come down - a worker on the new Canvey Bridge eyes the old Colvin Bridge in 1973, which was due to be demolished (Image: Archive)

The Colvin Bridge – named after the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Brigadier-General R.B. Colvin – was a godsend at the time, finally providing a proper crossing for the people of Benfleet and Canvey.

Echo: Colvin Bridge - the bridge, which opened in 1931 had a centre section which retracted to allow boats to pass throughColvin Bridge - the bridge, which opened in 1931 had a centre section which retracted to allow boats to pass through (Image: Archive)

In 1973 that bridge was replaced by the far more modern Canvey Road Bridge.

Check out our nostalgic gallery of roads and bridges being built on Canvey.

Echo: Height of fun - children look over from the new Canvey bridge in 1973Height of fun - children look over from the new Canvey bridge in 1973 (Image: Other)

One of the photos shows two Rolls Royce cars driving over Somnes Avenue which had just been opened in 1972 – and guess who was at the wheel?

It was ‘Mr Canvey’, Ray Howard of course.

Echo: New Road - the opening of Somnes Avenue on Canvey in July 1972. The first two cars on road were Rolls Royces and the one in front was driven by ‘Mr Canvey’, Ray Howard, who was then chairman of Canvey’s road committee. New Road - the opening of Somnes Avenue on Canvey in July 1972. The first two cars on road were Rolls Royces and the one in front was driven by ‘Mr Canvey’, Ray Howard, who was then chairman of Canvey’s road committee. (Image: Archive)

Scroll down to see more of our nostalgic photos

Echo: Work in progress - construction of Canvey’s new bridge is well underway in 1972Work in progress - construction of Canvey’s new bridge is well underway in 1972 (Image: Archive)

Echo: Bird’s eye view - building work on the new Canvey bridge in the 1970sBird’s eye view - building work on the new Canvey bridge in the 1970s (Image: Archive)

Echo: Brand new - the Canvey Way bridge which opened in 1973Brand new - the Canvey Way bridge which opened in 1973 (Image: Archive)