EMERGENCY roadworks are expected to cause traffic chaos with the A13 due to close for the weekend.

Motorists are being warned to prepare for lengthy journeys after Essex Highways announced the eastbound carriageway will be closed between Five Bells to the Pitsea Flyover for urgent repairs.

The closure will be in place from 9pm on Friday until 4am on Monday morning so motorists travelling toward Basildon and Southend this weekend will experience severe delays.

It could be the second weekend of problems in a row after traffic jams on the A127 due to multiple events being held.

Basildon county councillor Kerry Smith got in touch to ensure residents were aware.

He said: “These works are necessary repairs but it is important that people know what to expect and are aware they will be taking place.

“It is likely that London Road and Dry Street will become gridlocked as motorists try and look for rat runs to get round the closures.

“If residents are going out at the weekend, they should be prepared and allow extra time to travel.

“They are necessary repairs and it is clear the council has decided to do as much work as possible at the weekends to not impact commuters but this is still going to impact on residents who use the road at weekends.”

The temporary road closure is to enable major repairs to the concrete structure of the road which broke and created a giant pothole.

A spokesman said: “The road has defects on sections between Five Bells and the Pitsea Flyover.

“The situation now is assessed as such that major repairs must be urgently carried out to ensure the safety of the road.

“A diversion will be in place but delays are likely so please plan your journeys in advance.”

A signed diversion will be in place along the roughly two-and-a-half mile stretch of road. Visit essex.roadworks.org