FRUSTRATED drivers are calling for action after realising a set of temporary traffic light have been in place for more than FOUR YEARS.

Sets of temporary lights were placed on the B1389 in Witham back in 2016 following an accident which damaged the Wood End Bridge.

The bridge crosses over the A12 with the road acting as a slip road at junction 21 heading towards Hatfield Peverel.

The lights have been in place to make the bridge safe while Highways England, which is responsible for the bridge, planned to carry out repairs.

In 2018, the highways authority said the lights wouldn’t be removed until repair work has been completed.

But a further two years on, the lights are still in place and causing traffic problems for motorists.

Drivers have claimed the lights cause traffic to build up and cause delays during rush hour.

A Highways England spokesman said: “The traffic lights on the B1389 have been protecting Wood End Bridge since it was damaged in a collision.

“The lights have remained in place for safety reasons while we work hard to resolve any remaining issues.

“We want to offer a huge thanks to everyone for bearing with us, and to apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused.”

Highways England says it plans to carry out improvements so that stretch of the A12 is safer and fit for the future.

As part of the long-awaited upgrade to make the A12 three lanes between Chelmsford at junction 19 and junction 25 with the A120 at Marks Tey, Wood End Bridge will eventually be demolished and rebuilt.

In the meantime, the temporary traffic lights look like remaining in place for the foreseeable future.