A GAS company has been fined after a hole dug to work on mains pipes was left open for a week with traffic lights causing “unacceptable” traffic chaos.

Cadent Gas dug the hole in Long Road, at the top of Cox’s Hill in Lawford, last Thursday and three-way traffic lights were put up.

But work then came to a halt.

Carlo Guglielmi, Essex county councillor, said: “It’s been causing massive traffic problems and it’s been a week. The traffic gridlock first thing in the morning and in the evening is totally unacceptable.

“The petrol station has lost business because of it.

“And they aren’t working there, they haven’t worked there since last Thursday.

“They have now been fined by Essex County Council for breaking the conditions of permission to dig up the road.”

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “We are always willing to accommodate essential gas and electricity works on Essex roads but this is on the strict understanding that disruption to the public is kept to a minimum.

“On this occasion, we have fined Cadent for failing to correctly control their traffic lights therefore causing unnecessary extra congestion in the area.”

Cadent Gas has apologised for the delays. A spokesman said: “Cadent is carrying out a gas mains replacement programme in Lawford along the length of Long Road.

“We are aware people have mentioned we have temporary traffic lights up but they can not see anyone working there.

“It is due to us completing the work and laying foam concrete, which takes a long time to set before we can put the tarmac on top, residents will see the road works but no one there.

“We are aware that we may be receiving a notice from the council and we apologise for the delay in this section of works.”

“The delay was due to technical difficulties.”

After complaints, the work was completed with the next part of the project due to start further along Long Road near Wignall Street.