RESIDENTS in North Stifford and South Ockendon, whose lives have been blighted by a road closure prompted by a failed sewer, had an unexpected Christmas bonus on Tuesday evening (23 December) when Pilgrims Lane was unexpectedly reopened.

The road had been closed by Thurrock Council who wanted to protest engineers working on a failed sewer by the side of the A13. Foul water from the sewer was being pumped to tankers parked on the Pilgrims lane bridge above the A13 - with the council closing the road to protect enginers and also avoid fractious confrontions with angry drivers.

Pumping took place from the bridge on Pilgrims Lane.

The closure and remedial works had caused disruption to life in North Stifford - which was used by many drivers as an alternative route, even though it was not signposted as a diversion. And there was also congestion in South ockendon, where tankers were being 'parked up' before being assigned to a collection on the bridge.

The works were scheduled to go on through Christmas, and possibly into the new year, but unexpectedly on the night before Christmas Evee, work sceased and Pilgrims lane was reopened.

On Tuesday evening local ward councillor Vikki Hartstean posted: "Few bits to do after Christmas that involves temporary lights - but we're pleased it went to plan and it's now open."

And anglian Water have since issued the following statement - saying work may resume in the new year: "An update on our emergency work near you

"We wanted to say a huge thank you for your patience over the last month while we've been doing emergency work on one of our sewers. We know it's been really disruptive for local residents.

"We've now done enough of the repair to keep everything flowing for you over Christmas and into the new year. That's why our teams and tankers have been able to leave site and remove our road closure on Pilgrims Lane.

"We'll be back in the second week of January to start our final repair work. We'll keep you updated on our progress.

"If you have any issues over the festive period. you can call us anytime on 03457 145 145."