WEEKEND traffic restrictions which normally cause huge traffic jams around Sadlers Farm roundabout will be lifted until after Christmas.

Access to the five mini roundabouts around the main Sadlers Farm roundabout, in Benfleet, has been restricted during weekends for more than a year to allow for engineering works.

This usually causes major hold-ups, particularly on the A130 approach to the junction.

However, Essex County Council has now announced plans to reduce disruption for motorists over the Christmas shopping period, by lifting the weekend restrictions.

This will start over Saturday and Sunday this week and continue every weekend until January when they will be restored.

Tracey Chapman, Essex County Council’s councillor responsible for highways, said: “We hope this will assist any increase in traffic flow during the festive season.”

The restrictions are usually in place to allow work on a £63.5million scheme to streamline the junction.

This will create a bypass linking the A13 and A130 and a simpler roundabout layout. The current layout with five mini-roundabouts linked around a large roundabout, will be streamlined.WEEKEND traffic restrictions which normally cause huge traffic jams around Sadlers Farm roundabout will be lifted until after Christmas.

Access to the five mini roundabouts around the main Sadlers Farm roundabout, in Benfleet, has been restricted during weekends for more than a year to allow for engineering works.

This usually causes major hold-ups, particularly on the A130 approach to the junction.

However, Essex County Council has now announced plans to reduce disruption for motorists over the Christmas shopping period, by lifting the weekend restrictions.

This will start over Saturday and Sunday this week and continue every weekend until January when they will be restored.

Tracey Chapman, Essex County Council’s councillor responsible for highways, said: “We hope this will assist any increase in traffic flow during the festive season.”

The restrictions are usually in place to allow work on a £63.5million scheme to streamline the junction.

This will create a bypass linking the A13 and A130 and a simpler roundabout layout. The current layout with five mini-roundabouts linked around a large roundabout, will be streamlined.