Villagers are set for a more than seven mile diversion as roadworks get underway today.

Parkhall Road and Church Road in Gosfield is set to close a roadworks commence on Saturday, February 20.

Broadband company, Gigaclear are closing the roads in order to conduct fibre optic installation works.

It is expected the two roads, which link Gosfield with residents in Beazley End, Shalford and Wethersfield, could be closed until Thursday, March 4.

Due to the roads being closed, residents either side of closure will be forced to use a diversion route.

Residents will have to drive south to Bocking Churchstreet before heading north again.

The route, which has been supplied by Essex Highways, lengthens the journey time by 17 minutes as drivers will be forced to travel a further seven and a half miles.