IMPROVEMENT work will be taking place over the next few weeks on the A1089, the dual carriageway Tilbury approach road – with national Highways planning to divert traffic through rural roads around West Tilbury.

National Highways will undertake upgrade work on the central reservation barrier, saying they will reduce long-term disruption from future maintenance, improve safety for its workforce and ensure continued access during junction-to-junction closures.

The agency says that, to reduce the impact on the local community and maintain safety throughout the works, the following measures will be implemented:

Overnight Working Hours: Selected to avoid peak traffic periods

Staggered Closures: Only one carriageway will be closed at a time to limit diversions and maintain smoother traffic flow

There will be two phases to the work, running into 2026.

Phase 1: Port of Tilbury to Asda Roundabout. Dates: 13 October – 22 November.

Phase 2: Asda Roundabout to A13. Dates: Planned for early 2026

To minimise disruption, all works will be carried out overnight between 9pm and 4am, when traffic volumes are significantly lower.

Turnpike lane, off Muckingford Road, will be used as an overnight diversionary road.

National Highways says that while work is ongoing, traffic to the docks and Tilbury will be diverted by a route east of the A1089, which includes Turnpike Lane.

Following the completion of the works, Turnpike Lane will be resurfaced by Thurrock Council, having already been designated as a road in need of repair.  

National Highways will be hosting an in-person public information event about the works at Tilbury Community Centre, Civic Square, Tilbury, on Thursday (2 October) from 2 to 7pm.