MOTORISTS face more uncertainty over when roadworks on the A12 are due to be completed after more closure dates were released.

The resurfacing of the A12 from Junction 25 at Marks Tey to Junction 26 at Stanway is now set to be completed more than eight months late and millions of pounds over budget.

National Highways had said it hoped to complete the work in time for the August bank holiday.

Now it has been confirmed a full closure of the A12 carriageway between the Junction 25 southbound exit slip road and Junction 25 entry slip road will take place from August 30 to September 2.

This has been moved back from an initial date of August 16 to 19. 

When the Gazette asked about the additional roadworks date National Highways said further information would be shared near the completion of the scheme. 

It was unable to provide an exact end date beyond "summer 2024".

In March, the Gazette reported the Colchester A12 roadworks were £11million over budget due to “poor weather”.

Delay- The A12 roadworks have been delayed by more than eight months. Delay- The A12 roadworks have been delayed by more than eight months. (Image: Steve Brading)

A National Highways spokesman had said: “We had originally expected work to finish this spring but difficult ground conditions, requiring more extensive treatment than original envisaged, and extended periods of poor weather have contributed to delays.

“This has also contributed to the additional overall cost.”

The reconstruction works, which started in October 2022, involve completely removing the concrete road surface and some of the foundations before rebuilding and resurfacing the road.

Colchester mayor Lesley Scott-Boutell, an independent councillor for Stanway, said: “I think we’re going down the road that it is difficult for residents at the moment, but there is a positive upside.

“Once it’s completed, we’ll have a quieter road which will be a positive for residents.”

Concrete- National Highways had hoped to complete the roadworks by the August bank holiday, summer 2024. Concrete- National Highways had hoped to complete the roadworks by the August bank holiday, summer 2024. (Image: Steve Brading)

Ms Scott-Boutell has been working on a project to install an acoustic sound barrier along the A12 in Stanway to protect residents from the noise of vehicles.

“It is essential work - it is needed,” she said. “I’m glad the resurfacing project has gone ahead because the alternatives just don’t bear thinking about.

“I’m glad they’ve bitten the bullet.”

The East of England has the highest concentration of concrete roads on the National Highways network, including the A14, A12, A120, A11, and M11.

The surface of concrete roads that were designed in the 1950s and 1970s have an average lifespan of 50 years.

Around half of the old-style concrete roads will either have repairs or be replaced during the next five years.