STANFORD-le-Hope and Corringham Conservative councillors have hailed the work currently underway to improve the road surface of the Manorway that runs between the two towns and is the main access road to the London Gateway port and logistics centre as well as other industrial sites in the east of the borough.

The roadworks, which began on Tuesday 1 June, have been some time in the planning and finally got underway at a projected cost of more than one million pounds.

While the outcome will eventually be a quieter road for nearby residents, many other residents in the town have been complaining about the noise and impact of diversions through their neighbourhoods while work is underway.

Residents on Corringham Road and London Road in Stanford-le-Hope in particular have expressed their annoyance at the last night speeding HGV traffic flashing past their doors – particularly on London Road where speed humps provide a noisy obstruction to traffic that is travelling well over the permitted limited.

The council has now put up signs asking HGV drivers to slow down and take more care.

Local Conservative councillors Alex Anderson, Gary Collins, James Halden and Shane Hebb recently visited the Manorway to inspect the overnight works taking place.

And Cllr Mark Coxshall, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration said: "This is a great example of the council working with the port to get the promised infrastructure in place to reduce the impact of traffic movements on residents."

Cllr Anderson, who represents Stanford East & Corringham Town said: "It was fantastic to attend site on the Manorway on Wednesday night to witness first hand the work and investment going into this road.

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"When it comes to the Manorway, we recognise that issues such as noise pollution have been a real blight on residents. It's one of the reasons this investment is so vital, and I really look forward to seeing this work's completion for our community".

Homsteads ward's Cllr Halden said: "This massive investment of over £1m is what our community needs and deserves. The Manorway works will produce a better road with much less noise. I have heard the crashing and banging myself, so seeing vast sections of road being torn up and methodically replaced to improve people's peace and quiet is a great thing".

The work will continue over midweek evenings, with an expected completion date of 23 June.