IMPROVEMENT works to alleviate congestion at roundabouts on the A414 in Maldon will begin at the end of the month.

Construction work to improve the capacity of the Spital Road and Limebrook Way roundabouts in Maldon is planned to start at the end of June.

Overnight work on Limebrook Way Roundabout will start in early July.

Preliminary works were carried out over the winter to clear ground and divert utility service cables and pipes.

These measures are part of Essex County Council’s £4m road investment programme to improve the A414 corridor from Chelmsford to Maldon. Eddie Johnson, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Road users should expect some delays during the construction period which will involve lane reductions and a 30mph speed reduction to allow the contractors to safely undertake the works.

“The scheme will see much-needed benefits for Maldon town’s residents and businesses. More than 23,000 vehicles pass through these roundabouts each day. Reducing congestion, especially at peak times, will future-proof the network and provide added capacity for economic growth.”

Works include:

• A new dedicated left hand slip road on the A414 Spital Road Roundabout leading to the A414 Maldon Bypass towards Heybridge.

• Two new dedicated left hand slip roads on the Limebrook Way Roundabout from Limebrook Way B1018 to A414 Wycke Hill, and A414 Wycke Hill towards Spital Road.

• Improving the consistency and appropriateness of the speed limits on this section of the A414

• Upgrading the existing traffic island to a pedestrian island on A414 Spital Road.

• Adapting associated ground works, drainage, street lighting, road markings and signage.

Lane reductions and pedestrian diversions will be required between 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday with some limited operations being undertaken overnight.

Temporary traffic signals will be used overnight and outside peak times to support the works, which will cause some delays to journey times.

Advanced warning road signs will be put up before the work starts. The improvements are due to be complete in early 2017.