SEVERAL roads in Billericay will be dug up as £1.5million worth of new power cables are laid in the town.

Motorists are being warned to brace themselves for delays when UK Power Network starts its four-month project on Monday.

The project will involve excavation work taking place in London Road, Laindon Common Road, School Road and Outwood Farm Road.

Around 5km of high voltage power cables are set to be laid in the area.

A spokesman for the company, which runs the electricity network in Essex, said: “In order to minimise inconvenience to customers in the area, contractors will be working from dawn to dusk in London Road and Laindon Road, where traffic lights will be in place 24 hours a day.

“Outwood Farm Road will be closed from January 4 to the middle of February and diversions will in place.

“The majority of work will be completed by March, with minor works taking place later in the year.

“The new network will be serving the area by September.”

Project manager Richard Desborough added: “This project will bring long-term benefits for our customers in the Billericay area because the new underground cables will help ensure a reliable power supply for years to come.”