RESIDENTS and motorists are reminded that because of the demolition of the old footbridge over the A13 that links Horndon on the Hill and Stanford-le-Hope, the A13 will be closed from 9pm this evening (Friday, 5 March) until 5am on Monday.

Both east and westbound carriageways will be closed between the Orsett Cock roundabout and A1014 (Manorway) junctions. A diversion will be in place via the A1013 Stanford Road.

There will be delays and all non-local traffic is being advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes (A130, A127, M25). Additional traffic management measures will be deployed in Horndon and at the Stanford Road/Buckingham Hill Road junction to minimise the impact on local roads.

In a change to the usual diversion policy when the A13 is closed Buckingham Hill Road will be closed temporarily in both directions between the entrance to the Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre and the A1013 Stanford Road during all full and partial weekend-long closures of the A13.

A signed diversion route will be in place via Muckingford Road, Linford Road, Chadwell Hill, Marshfoot Road, the A1089, the A13 and the A1013 Stanford Road.

Thurrock Council says closing Buckingham Hill Road is necessary for traffic to flow more freely on the A1013 Stanford Road.

Residents in the immediate vicinity of the bridge have been warned they may be inconvenienced by noise, vibration and dust during the demolition process.

A statement from Thurrock Council says: "Demolition works will start at late on the Friday night and will be completed by Saturday evening. The A13 road closure will remain for the rest of the weekend so other works can take place, such as resurfacing and drainage works.

"The demolition will create noise and cause some vibration, but not enough to damage property. Levels of vibration will be monitored throughout. We apologise to residents nearby for disturbance caused.

"Dust from the demolition will be suppressed using equipment that will create a fine mist. This may be visible in the air but poses no risk to human health."