DRIVERS face traffic chaos after an emergency gas leak closed a busy junction for two weeks.

National Grid closed Wellesley Road in Wanstead at the junction with Hermon Hill last Monday (October 10) due to an “emergency gas leak”.

A spokesman said they hoped to reopen the road on Friday, but the junction near Snaresbrook Tube Station is still closed a week later.

Snaresbrook Cllr Suzanne Nolan said she has spoken to Redbridge Council’s highways department who told her “escapes on pipe joints” along Wellesley Road have caused complications.

She said: “I know it’s really annoying and disruptive for residents, because it is a very busy junction.

“But you can’t compromise when it comes to health and safety.

“If something did happen with a burst gas pipe it would be very frightening for everyone.”

The Conservative councillor added that “there seems to be traffic disruption all over the borough at the moment.”

She said: “There’s roadworks wherever you go in Redbridge at the moment.

“It would have been better if they could have staggered it.”

National Grid has not yet been able to confirm when the work will be finished.