DRIVERS are being warned to expect longer journeys when a road closes, with a half-hour official diversion in place.

Kings Lane in Stisted is set close on May 1.

The road connects Stisted to the A120 and is an important route for villagers.

The closure will last for one day from 9.30am to 3.30pm at the road’s junction with the A120.

It is being closed by Openreach, which will be conducting work on telegraph poles.

The closure is expected to impact traffic with a more than 20km official diversion to be put in place.

The route will take drivers through Braintree and Halstead via the A131 and is expected to extend travel times by 27 minutes.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while overhead cabling works are undertaken by Openreach.

“Access for emergency service vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure.”