Long-suffering Witham residents will have to endure roadworks into the new year.

Originally, work being carried out to remedy years of trouble with pot holes and subsidence in The Avenue was due to finish today (Friday) but now it will continue until January 17.

Engineers at Essex County Council's highways department have extended the closure order for The Avenue, saying the recent bad weather is one of the reasons the work has taken longer than planned.

"We have also had problems with gas and water supplies running from the road to individual houses," explained a spokesman for the highways department. He said: "We are having to dig down half a metre and much of it is by hand to avoid disrupting services to residents. There have been a few pipes hit but we have managed to keep this to a minimum."

The decision to totally remake the road, rather than just resurface, has been vindicated by excavations.

"The long term problems with the road have stemmed from the fact that it was essentially built on a thin slab of concrete, which is sitting on wet clay. Heavy lorries rock the slab, cracking it and force water upwards which has caused subsidence," said the spokesman.

"Although the work will take longer than anticipated, it will be worthwhile and we apologise for the delays," he said.

Long time campaigner for the roadworks, Cllr Michael Lager, commented this week: "Overall, residents are pleased that the work is being carried out and accept the weather has caused delays."

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