ROAD works are causing traffic chaos at a busy junction following a burst water mains.

The mains at Church Hill, by Homebase, in Loughton, burst last Thursday, and temporary traffic lights erected there are causing large tailbacks.

Assistant at Newsbox, in Church Hill, Dawn Burns said: “They've fixed the leak but it needs tarring. Someone just came in from the roundabout at Epping and they said it had taken them an hour to get through.

“I don't know when it'll be fixed but that's the council for you.”

The mains at the Church Hill junction have been repeatedly fixed over the years, with roadworks there a familiar sight for residents.

Roger Bell, of Church Hill said: “When the mains burst they closed the road for the buses- they couldn't get down. It seems to be clearer now.

“They put in a new mains 18 months ago. Maybe it's another part which has broken. The mains round here are popping all the time.”

As well as Church Hill, there are also temporary traffic lights at the junction of Alderton Hill, and Borders Lane, in Loughton, where the road surface has gone.

A spokeswoman for Essex County Council said: "The resurfacing in Church Hill will be carried out today by Thames Water. As the temperatures are too low for a permanent reinstatement of the surface, a temporary one will be put in place so the road can reopen fully today. Once the temperatures have improved a permanent surface will be installed again."