Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois has hit out at Essex County Council for the endless ongoing delays at Sadler’s Farm in South Essex.
The original remodelling of the junction, to replace the notorious “magic roundabout” at Sadler’s Farm, cost over £60 million but, in 2017, Essex County Council commenced a series of standard inspections on the A13/A130 junction, which discovered a number of defects. Subsequently, the contracting company Balfour Betty were assigned the role of completing the roadworks.
The works which have now been ongoing for some five years, are still not complete and entail speed restrictions and narrowing of lanes.
Mark Francois MP commented: “On my way to Westminster mid- morning, on Monday, I drove through the road restrictions at Sadler’s Farm, yet I did not see one soul carrying out any works. This situation has now become a complete farce, and my constituents are utterly fed up with these endless roadworkses and accompanying speed restrictions. ECC state that there is no cost to the taxpayer, but what about the cost and continued disruption to local people and business that has now gone on for five years? The constant buck-passing between ECC and Balfour Betty must end and both parties must take responsibility for this shambles and then finish the project, once and for all.”
