Roadworks lasting more than a month have plunged a town into "absolute chaos".

Yesterday morning commuters hit the roads on the first day of Essex Highways five week long closure of Alderton Hill, Loughton.

While the weakened footpath is strengthened and utilities diverting to the carriageway, all vehicles have been stopped from using the road.

Although a diversion has been put in place, motorists have faced severe delays.

One man, who asked not to be named, was caught in the middle of the congestion on Monday morning as he retuned from taking his daughter to nursery.

He said: "It is causing absolute chaos. It is just horrendous.

"There is traffic queued all the way up to the High Street.

"I turned around and found a different route. It is bumped to bumper.

"The work needs to be done, but it is complicated for local residents."

David Linnell, spokesperson of the Loughton Residents Association, suggested this week's jams could be just the start of road user's worries.

He said: "The road is being closed this summer and in summer 2019 to replace the road bridge across the brook.

"Until all the utility services are located and examined, it’s not possible to tell how much work will be needed, or how long it will take.

"Next year the current bridge, which is starting to fail, will be taken up and a new one installed to a higher specification.

"This will cause traffic chaos."

Mr Linnell also said that had it not been for the work of Cllrs Chris Pond, Valeria Metcalfe and Stephen Murray in convincing TfL to divert the 167 bus along Brook Road rather than it turn around at Buckhurst Hill, the burden on the public would have been worse.

A statement from Essex Highways read: "It is recognised this is a traffic sensitive site, and we have therefore scheduled works to coincide with the summer holiday period when traffic flows are expected to be lighter.

"Operatives will be working between the hours of 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, with reduced hours worked at weekends.

"Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times across the bridge allowing school and shop access.

"Advance notices will be in place and appropriate diversions will be signed during the closure."

Motorists affecting by the diversion are advised to follow a route up Alderton Hill, Traps Hill, High Road, Old Station Road, Station Road and vice versa.

Vehicle access to Roding Valley High School on Alderton Hill will be permitted via Old Station Road.