A TRAFFIC-busting scheme at a major south Essex junction is finally set to get off the ground as council bosses prepare to award a £49million contract ahead of work starting next year.

The long-awaited revamp of the Fairglen Interchange – used by more than 200,000 people a day – has been hit by a series of delays in recent years.

However, Essex County Council is preparing to award the multi-million pound contract at a meeting this week and is confident of work starting next year ahead of a 2027 completion.

Council bosses are yet to reveal the firm that will carry out work at the junction, which links the A130, A127 and A13.

Once complete, the scheme would see a one-way link road allowing drivers to skip several miles of the A130 and join the A127 before travelling to Southend without using the Rayleigh Spur roundabout.

Southend councillor and mayor, Ron Woodley, said: “This is good news.

“You see so many cars, especially in rush hour, queuing up. The whole area needs upgrading.

“So, it is finally good to see it hopefully progress now.

“Motorists need to realise there will be disruption whilst work takes place.

“But in the end, everyone will appreciate the free-flowing traffic that will occur.”

A new dedicated left-turn lane from the A1245 to the A127 eastbound will also be built, bypassing the roundabout, with a new dedicated slip lane and existing slip road.

The Rayleigh Spur Roundabout will also be enlarged with additional lanes and traffic lights on two of the three arms.

Basildon councillor Kerry Smith added: “It is long overdue. The A127 is the lifeblood of the south Essex economy, whenever delays occur, it doesn’t help us, it puts off investment.

“The area is well past its sell-by date. Anything that helps elevate the congestion has got to be a good thing for residents, the economy, and the whole of South Essex.

“It will make such a difference.”

The total cost of the project is £49.3million, which will be funded by £15milllion from the Department for Transport Local Growth Fund One grant, £6.2million from The South East Local Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Fund and £28.098million that will be borrowed by Essex County Council.