WORK is underway on repairs to a gas main at a controversial Thurrock road junction where Buckingham Hill Road meets Stanford Road just outside Stanford-le Hope.

The junction has been problematic for local motorists for more than a year after traffic lights that were installed as part of the building of a housing estate at East Tilbury failed to meet standards.

Thurrock Council, which authorised the works as part of the planning permission has abducted responsibility for the problem, battling the issue back to developers Persimmon - who appear to have just ignored the situation.

Temporary lights have been in place since March last year but they frequently fail and are regarded as dangerous.

There have been a number of accidents at the junction.

This week engineers from Cadent moved into action to deal with a leak and they have replaced the temporary lights with their own.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We're currently carrying out essential work to locate and repair a gas escape. Work started yesterday (Tuesday April 28) and to enable the work to be carried out safely multi-way traffic lights are being used.

"Currently we anticipate the work will continue until Monday (4 May)."