THE latest in a succession of major closures will see the A13 once again shut down in Thurrock over the coming weekend.

From 9pm on Friday (5 November) until 5am on Monday (8 November) both carriageways will be closed between the Orsett Cock roundabout and the Manorway roundabout at Stanford-le-Hope.

It is likely that the closure will cause significant congestions, particularly on Friday and Saturday as traffic attempts to leave the Orsett Showground area after the massive annual fireworks display there.

And the closure is also likely to run up against the congestion caused by Essex County Council's closure of a lane of the A13 just past the Five Bells roundabout at Fobbing.

The reduction to a single lane on the eastbound carriageway has led to huge queues tailing back into the widening roadworks in Thurrock - with queues at peak times stretching back many miles from Fobbing to beyond the North Stifford interchange near Lakeside. Motorists have reported taking as long as 90 minutes to get through the congestion.

Thurrock Council has warned drivers this weekend that they should not drive through Chadwell St Mary, Horndon on the Hill, Orsett, Stanford-le-Hope or Stifford Clays as an alternative to the A13, A1013 or the Orsett Cock roundabout. It recommends sticking only to the marked diversion via Stanford Road (A1013).

Buckingham Hill Road will be closed temporarily in both directions between the entrance to Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre and the A1013 Stanford Road all weekend, though the tip will remain open and can be approached from Linford.