Road chiefs were last night unable to say when a road closure causing rush-hour gridlock in Colchester would end.

Essex County Council said it hoped to complete work, which required the closure of a stretch of the Northern Approach Road on September 22, would be completed within three weeks – but may take six.

But with the three-week deadline coming up this weekend, the council has admitted it could not give an estimated completion date.

The news came as a blow to motorists trying to reach work in yesterday morning’s sustained and heavy rainfall, with one saying it took him an hour to travel along Mill Road, part of the four-mile detour put in place by highways bosses.

A County Hall spokesman said “good progress” was being made to link the road from its section between Mill Road and Boxted Road with the A12 at Cuckoo Farm through the former Severalls Hospital site.

A spokesman said: “Work is ongoing to tie in the Northern Approach Road phase three scheme to the existing Northern Approach Road and good progress has been made onsite.

“It is intended these works are completed in less than the six weeks road closure booked.

“However, this length of closure has been booked to ensure there is adequate time to allow for any issues which may be encountered at any point during the works, and the route will be re-opened at the earliest possible opportunity.”

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