Nine months of roadworks will get underway next week as a saga that has “blighted the council for 15 years” takes a step forward.

Over the years, a major regeneration plan to replace the former Laindon Shopping Centre and build 200 affordable homes, a larger Lidl, and 15 shops has been hit with a series of delays.

However, Sanctuary has confirmed that the highway works will get underway in the middle of August on High Road, Laindon.

The works will change the road layout so the town centre regeneration can be progressed.

“These works must be completed before we can start any building work and are expected to take nine months.

Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council, claimed the new administration had unlocked the issue to get works back on track.

He said: “I am delighted. This has been a saga that has blighted the council for 15 years and the people of Laindon have been let down time and time again.

“The first conversation I had as the cabinet member for regeneration in May was to ask what needed to be done to get the Laindon shopping centre built.

“I am pleased we managed to unlock the highways issue which the Tories had failed to do for 18 months.

“The bond, which is the sum of money that Sanctuary will pay the highways authority in advance of works starting, needed to be signed off.

“It had been sat on for 18 months. Within a month we got it sorted.

“We are all about delivery and this is a major milestone to the delivery of the project.”

Traffic management will be in place and, as the works progress, sections of the road will be reduced to one lane.

In a letter to residents, Sanctuary added: “I am writing to let you know that highway works will be taking place on High Road in Laindon from the middle of August to change the road layout so the town centre regeneration can be progressed.

“These works must be completed before we can start any building work.

“The works will reconstruct the carriageway, renew paving and realign road junctions, among other upgrades.

“Although we will do everything we can to reduce any disruption, there may be some traffic delays, noise and dust.

“As well as these road works, we have been conducting clearance works, structural and utility assessments in preparation for the build of the main scheme. New hoarding is also being erected around the site.

“We understand from the resident events we held last year that this scheme is important to the Laindon community. We hope that you will find this update positive news about our progress.”