Roadworks caused businesses to suffer after Witham was brought to a standstill.

Angry drivers vented their frustrations after the town became gridlocked when maintenance works were carried out in Braintree Road for two days since last Tuesday.

Commuters said their journey time had more than doubled.

Estate agent Russell Davis, 33, of Allen Estates, in Newland Street, Witham, said: “On Tuesday I had to go for an appointment just off Forest Road.

“It should have taken me six or seven minutes but I was stuck in traffic for 40 minutes.

“It was a five minute appointment and then it took me 45 minutes to get back.

“It was total chaos, Witham was completely gridlocked."

See this week's Witham Times - out on Thursday - for the full story.