MOTORISTS and residents will face a week of disruption from tomorrow (Monday, 14 September) when Highways England closes a busy Thurrock Road to carry out more investigative work as it prepares its case for the Lower Thames Crossing.

Contractors Balfour Beatty will be carrying out trial hole and survey works on Brentwood Road that will require them to temporarily close the road for several hours each day from Monday to Friday – between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

The road will be closed between Chadwell St Mary and the Orsett Golf course entrance, meaning all traffic in both directions will be directed to follow a diversion via Muckingford Road and Buckingham Hill Road.

A statement from Highways England says: "These are investigative surveys to help better understand the locations of existing underground utilities along and near to the proposed route of the Lower Thames Crossing."

Highways England is currently finalising its plans to seek planning consent for the project, through submitting a Development Consent Order to the government.