A WOMAN heading home to Canvey had to divert her journey after roadworks started early.

Christine Sellick was trying to get home to First Avenue, on Saturday night, but had to embark on an unexpected detour.

Other motorists were also caught out when Essex County Council began work on Canvey's two main access roads, Canvey Way and Canvey Road, three hours earlier than planned.

Mrs Sellick got stuck when work to the bridge on the B1014, in Ferry Road, began at around 10pm on Saturday.

Essex County Council had said work would begin at midnight.

She said: "We had to go up Canvey Way instead, it wasn't a little detour.

"We were heading towards Benfleet station, but it said the road was closed.

"Some people were driving through so we followed, but after getting past the station we couldn't get any further.

"We saw two maintenance men standing by a van, but they weren't doing anything. The detour added another five miles to our journey and the cost of that petrol. They were supposed to start at midnight, not 10pm."

Both lanes of Canvey Way are being closed overnight this week as part of a £700,000 package of improvements to the carriageway.

Six weeks of repairs are being carried out on Canvey bridge, between 9.30am and 3.30pm, where the Canvey-bound lane will be shut.

Dave Blackwell, leader of Canvey Independent Party, has warned the area could end up "gridlocked" due to the roadworks.

Scott Wilson, spokesman for Essex Council Council said: "We did notify the public through statutory signs which were put up on the site. But we apologise to this lady and to others for the short notice.

The Canvey Way works will see resurfacing done, a new 50mph speed limit introduced and speed cameras erected to improve what is an accident blackspot.