A BOROUGH road will remain closed for at least a second day as engineers tackle unexpected work.

What should have been a relatively simple job of replacing a gas supply pipe to a building on London Road in Stanford-le-Hope became at least a three day operation due to a leak.

Work began on Monday (16 September) to connect the former cafe at the junction with Rayleigh Road with a new supply, prior to its conversion to flats, including building an extension - though planning permission for that has yet to be granted.

The property owner applied for permission last October but was unable to reach agreement in the scheme and, frustrated by the timescale, decided to appeal directly to the Planning Inspectorate because of council delays and non determination. A hearing has yet to take place.

The team working on the connection job experienced pressure problems and identified a leak further down the road and in the end cut a trench and then a deep hole, blocking Rayleigh Road yesterday. A three way system of traffic lights was put in place, causing traffic backlogs on the busy London Road.

It is hoped that work will be completed today (Wednesday, 18 September) but the council has granted a traffic order allowing work to go on to Friday, if required.