A NEW underpass could be created and a notorious level crossing in Lawford closed to solve decades of traffic chaos.

Long-awaited traffic lights at the underpass next to Manningtree train station are in the pipeline as a short-term fix for gridlock at what has been described one of the “worst bottlenecks in Essex”.

Lawford's county councillor Carlo Guglielmi has been pushing for traffic lights at the underpass since 2014.

He said: "We've got a meeting at county hall in a couple of weeks to get exact timings.

"The traffic lights have been approved and will cost between £150,000 to £200,000.

"I've not let this bone go.

"I've got to say Essex County Council has finally taken this seriously and I thank them for that, and to both MPs for pushing this up to ministerial wave length."

In January last year Carlo hit out at a three-month delay in the project was announced due to structural concerns of the bridge.

But work is still yet to be completed.

He added: "Local highways panels are due for a serious review in my eyes.

"A project can be approved but then there are no signs of work.

"This is totally unacceptable.

"To the naked eye residents, who are not aware of the massive red tale around the highways panel, think it's pie in the sky."

The lights would replace the current controversial priority system at the underpass, which is only wide enough for one vehicle.

It is expected they will be funded by developers building homes nearby and be in place for a few years until a long-term solution is put in place.

Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin, said: "What we decided at the meeting was that we need to do a pre-feasibility study in order to persuade Essex County Council, Suffolk County Council, other local authorities, department of transport, Network Rail and Abellio to fund a full feasibility study for a long-term solution.

"It must be to create a new underpass and remove the need for a level crossing.

"The road there needs to go lower and it needs to be two lanes."