THURROCK Council has announced that work on improvements to the Manorway in Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham have been completed early - and within budget.

A statement issued today (Tuesday, 22 June) says: "Works to improve The Manorway in Stanford-le-Hope have now been completed, two days ahead of schedule.

"The project has also come in under budget, thanks to the speed at which the crews worked, which means that the money left will be used to bring improvements to some of the surrounding streets."

Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill added: "The work carried out on The Manorway has been done to the highest possible standards and will create real and long lasting benefits for all those that live near the road and any traffic which uses it. The tarmac removed from the road in preparation for these works has also been taken to be recycled locally, so it can be reused.

"As well as adding a new quieter surface layer significant work has been done to the sub-structure of the road to offset inherent construction failures of the road which means these works will stand the test of time.

"Not only have these improvements been delivered two days ahead of schedule, it would have been four days if not for the torrential rain we saw last week, they have also come in under budget which means we now have spare funding to bring more improvements to neighbouring roads."

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Strategic Planning and External Relationships Cllr Mark Coxshall, said: "This new road has been partly funded by DP World London Gateway. We have worked together to bring significant improvements to the sub-structure of the road at the same time as adding the new surface layer.

"This has created a new road that is even quieter, more hard wearing and will stand the test of time, benefitting residents and businesses for years to come."

The roadworks caused some controversy in the towns because of disruption caused by vehicles on diversion.