TRAFFIC cones that have been in place on a busy road for nearly six months are being cleaned and replaced, as council bosses confirmed a new lane is still not safe to open.

The red and white cones on the A130 between Howe Green and the Rettendon Turnpike turned an unfortunate shade of black as a result of traffic fumes and a build-up of dirt.

Motorists have become used to the cones, which are blocking off a new third lane that was completed this summer to ease congestion.

Van driver Philip Bayley, 49, of Lawn Lane, Springfield, in Chelmsford, said he has grown frustrated by an apparent lack of activity on the road and took an interest when he noticed a works truck on the Chelmsford-bound carriageway on Friday.

He said: “Every day I drive backwards and forwards to Basildon and I just can’t understand why they’re still there.

“A lot of money has been spent on this new lane and nobody can use it. So I was quite pleased to see a truck parked up there today.

“But I couldn’t believe it when I realised that it was just there replacing the cones. They were taking one cone off the road and replacing it with another.

“Surely if they have the manpower to waste on that then they could get someone out to do the work?”

Although the bulk of the work was completed earlier this year, the cones were left in place because routine investigations revealed issues with crash barriers close to the new third lane.

A 50mph speed limit was put in place but lifted in October after emergency work to fortify the barriers was completed.

However, CountyRoute, the firm that runs the A130 on behalf of Essex County Council, has still not come up with a long-term solution.

In October, the council said CountyRoute is in discussions with contractors.The council has agreed it will not open the third lane until this work is complete. 

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: "The cones on the A130 Bypass are currently being cleaned and replaced as part of the general maintenance as they have become dirty during the winter period, it is expected this will be completed in the next couple of days."

The road is used by about 50,000 motorists every day.