Highways bosses have backtracked over promises to keep a key Braintree commuter route open during peak hours whilst roadworks are ongoing.

Essex Highways are working to revamp the turning for East Street, off of Coggeshall Road, Braintree, to improve access and visibility for driver and pedestrians.

Temporary traffic lights have been installed on Coggeshall Road to allow traffic to pass whilst work continues.

Plans were initially in place to suspend the traffic light system during peak hours, but Essex Highways said this is no longer possible.

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “Our supervisor on site has made the decision that it is not currently safe to remove the lights for peak times, but there will be manual operation of the lights to deal with any particular delays from 3.30pm to 6pm and from 7am to 9.30 am for the morning peak.

“Unfortunately we do occasionally have to change our plans given the situation on site at the time, and we apologise to drivers for any delays.”

The work was due to begin in October, but had to be delayed until Monday for unknown reasons.

Two overnight closures, between 8pm and 6am are set to be implemented before the works are finished.

Drivers hoping to get to the town centre using Coggeshall Road during these closures will be told to use a three mile diversion, down the A120, and towards Braintree via Cressing Road.

The new junction of East Street and Coggeshall Road is expected to be completed by Friday, January 26, at the latest.