A BUSINESS leader has hit out at ongoing roadworks at Rayleigh Weir which have caused major disruption for motorists and traders.

Contractors working for Essex County Council are working to repair faulty cabling on the roundabout, just off the A127, after traffic lights failed onTuesday, September 9.

However, the council has not been able to say how long the work will go on for with highways boss, Rodney Bass, demanding officers prepare a report on the disruption as he attempts to get to the bottom of it.

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: “Our business members and businesses generally feel the same as many residents about the failure of the lights at Rayleigh Weir.

“It is annoying Essex County Council doesn’t knowwhen they are being repaired. It is not just the congested road, but there are safety issues to.

“We look forward to finding out as soon as possible when they will get the lights working again.”

Gary Gordon from cab firm, Triple 3 Triple 4, said his firm and customers were suffering in the delays.

He said: “It can be a pain to get through and can put 20 minutes on your day. It makes it more expensive for customers as well. If you are sat there waiting it can cost £3 to £4 more. A lot of drivers will knock it off the cost, but there are some who will charge the full amount.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council explained: “Following the failure of traffic lights at the roundabout, we took the decision to install temporary signals in order to minimise the risk to pedestrians.

“Temporary signals have been placed on the two A129 approaches to the roundabout, but the two A127 off slips are not under signal control.

“For safety reasons, it has been necessary to reduce the carriageway to two lanes as the temporary signals are not as easily visible as permanent ones.

“Our maintenance sub-contractor has already replaced a damaged traffic signal controller and works are also now being carried out to repair faulty cabling on the roundabout.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to have the issue resolved as soon as possible.”