HIGHWAYS bosses say the county’s road network will continue to be maintained for emergency vehicles, essential staff travel and food deliveries.

Essex Highways is adjusting scheduled work and operations to ensure the public and its employees are safe, while existing roadworks remain in place.

While most repair work will continue for as long as possible, more extensive improvements are being reviewed.

Deputy county council leader Kevin Bentley said: “It is vital during these extraordinary times we do everything we can to continue supporting our emergency service colleagues and critical key workers who need to use our county’s roads in order to carry out their important work.

“However, we must ensure we are doing so in ways which are safe for our employees and members of the public, and also consider the likely impact of the current situation on availability of workers, materials and equipment going forward.”

Mr Bentley said County Hall was constantly reviewing the “extremely fast-moving situation”.

Essex Highways is also working with utility companies and developers to see if any changes need to be made to planned work.

People are encouraged to continue reporting defects online.

Essex Highways is currently experiencing a high volume of calls and so residents are asked not to call unless they spot an urgent road safety issue.