The UK's longest-running roadworks are still causing misery for drivers in Witham, Essex, after 11 years. The scheme on the A12 bridge, which began in 2015, has been labelled the country's most persistent roadwork site, and motorists face at least another 12 months of disruption.
The temporary traffic lights and lane closures on Woodend Bridge have become a notorious landmark. Fed-up locals have even given the site a pin on Google Maps, and it has garnered 52 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, with one commuter joking: 'The excitement when approaching the bridge is palpable. Will the lights be red or green?'
Businesses have suffered significant losses due to the prolonged works. AJ Grand-Scrutton, owner of Dlala gaming studio, said his four-minute commute now takes up to 45 minutes. 'We have business with Disney, Nintendo, and Microsoft, and this sends a message about how seriously Witham is being treated,' he added.
Another resident described the situation as 'chaos,' with a five-minute journey stretching to half an hour. 'Temporary should mean temporary,' they said.
The bridge's repair has been delayed due to planned demolition as part of the A12 widening project, which was scrapped last year due to budget constraints. Priti Patel, the Conservative MP for Witham, called the cancellation a 'disgrace.'
National Highways acknowledged the inconvenience, stating that repairing the bridge is complex and that a replacement beam is expected later this year.
