RESIDENTS and motorists in Stanford-le-Hope have been told to expect up to four weeks of disruption and delays as Thurrock Council implements the latest phase of its traffic calming programme aimed at creating safer areas for pedestrians and cyclists.

It is planned to install 18 sets of the bumps from the Green in the centre of the town through to London Road's junction with Stanford Road.

Signage will also flag up that a 20mph speed restriction is in force along the same stretch.

The council says the installation of the speed bumps and speed limit is 'temporary' and will be subject to a consultation with residents in due course.

Similar schemes are being carried out across the borough in East Tilbury, Purfleet and South Ockendon after the council received funding from the government's Emergency Active Travel fund. The council is due to get more money from the government, but controversy over what it has actually done in the borough has not gone unnoticed and the initial expected funding of £1,438,000 has been cut back by close to half a million.

The new measures, which follow on from the council painting pavements and warning people about Covid-19 have not been universally welcomed across the borough and only last week councillors in East Tilbury publicly mocked the scheme, saying it was a waste of money."

Cllr Massey said: "We are not opposed to traffic calming and are happy to consider any sensible options for speed reduction in the area, but these speed bumps are simply not a viable way of slowing down traffic, particularly heavy lorries."

However, in Stanford local councillors Terry Piccolo and Shane Hebb have welcomed the traffic calming measures - which will also be implemented outside St Clere's school.

Cllr Hebb said: "We are really thankful to the government for this grant, and to Thurrock Council for putting this area on the list for much-needed help with reducing speeding cars.

"Speeding vehicles have become an increasing issue for local residents, especially with the schools being back, and this could be really helpful in helping to deal with that local issue."