A MAJOR road passing by a busy industrial estate will be closed for the next ten days due to the “total collapse” of a sewer underneath the road.

Sutton Road, near the Purdeys Industrial Estate in Rochford, was closed by Anglian Water following for emergency repair works to the main sewer under the road.

Anglian Water was already performing roadworks, causing severe disruption for drivers heading towards Southend, before discovering the issue.

Now, Sutton Road, from the roundabout at Purdeys Way to the roundabout at Southend Road, has been closed.

Mike Steptoe, Roche South ward councillor, fears the works will cause huge disruption as drivers are diverted towards the Bell junction on the A127.

A temporary traffic light system is in place at the Bell junction until Saturday as Cadent Gas carries out works.

Mr Steptoe, said: “There is a massive problem here. We thought total closure would be on the cards, as the main sewer that connects into the Purdeys Estate has collapsed entirely.

“This will have a phenomenal impact, there will be a Southend diversion and I am advised that it will be going towards the Bell junction Cadent works.

“That is where there will be an issue. This will have a major impact on everyone.”

Mr Steptoe added: “School buses from Great Wakering to King Edmunds will have to be diverted around the road closures, kids will have to be picked up earlier and it is going to be a trial to get them up earlier.

“It is going to be a massive issue and I can only apologise for this, but it is an emergency situation.”

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “We are sorry for any traffic disruption on Sutton Road in Rochford.

"We have needed to close the road to enable our teams to safely repair a collapsed sewer in the area.

"We will be pumping wastewater around a damaged section of pipe, so it doesn’t cause flooding to homes and gardens or cause an impact to the environment around it.

“Our teams will be working to complete the job and reopen the road as normal as soon as they possibly can. We are grateful to customers and road users for their patience while we carry out this essential work and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”