ANOTHER weekend of significant disruption awaits motorists and residents because of A13 road widening work – but today (Friday, 29 April) Thurrock Council has announced the new third carriageway will be open for the first time on Monday.

Tonight, from 10pm until 10am tomorrow the A13 will be closed in both directions between the A1089 Tilbury Dock Approach Road junction and Manorway roundabout, then at 10am tomorrow the closure will be moved eastwards and shorten, from the Orsett Cock to the Manorway.

For tonight's closure the council is recommending drivers divert M25, A127, A128 and A1013, and vice versa. From 10am tomorrow the suggested main diversion is via the A127 and local traffic is advised to use the A1013 Stanford Road.

Today the council issued a statement saying: "At 5am on Monday, 2 May, the A13 Road Widening Project will reach a major milestone, as the newly-created third lane will open to traffic in both directions between the Stanford-le-Hope and Orsett junctions.

"This is a key step towards finalising the work which is part of the A13 Road Widening Project. On completion there will be an additional lane in both directions between Stanford-le-Hope and Orsett, four new bridges and improvements at the Orsett Roundabout to help manage traffic flow.

"Road users are asked to take extra care when travelling on the new road and roundabout, to familiarise themselves with the road alignments, speed limits, signage and lane markings.

"A temporary 50mph speed limit will be put in place between the two junctions for safety reasons, until electrical contractors can complete street lighting commissioning work.

"The Orsett Cock Roundabout will be open to two lanes, with the current, temporary 30mph speed limit remaining in place until new traffic lights are commissioned in early May."