CONGESTION caused by roadworks in the centre of Southend has forced bus operator Arriva to divert buses.

The services which have been hardest hit by delays of around 40 minutes are services 7, 8, 9 and 29.

All the routes use Victoria Avenue and head for Victoria Circus, which is undergoing major work to convert from a roundabout to traffic light controlled junction.

From this week between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday the four services which terminate at Shoebury will instead turn left into East Street from Victoria Avenue and travel along Sutton Road and Southchurch Road.

Arriva spokesman Richard Lewis has confirmed buses will stop at all bus stops along the revised route.

He said: “Our buses have been subjected to unacceptable delays of up to 40 minutes as a result of the rebuilding work at Victoria Circus and it has been necessary to take action to overcome the delays.

“Although the delays are caused in the central area, they create a knock-on effect of late running as far out as Shoebury and Rayleigh, and we hope by running via Sutton Road our drivers will be able to keep as near to time as possible.”

The firm apologised to customers using the bus stops in Victoria Avenue and at Southend Victoria train station for any inconvenience while the work at Victoria Circus lasts.

He added: “The delays which we have been experiencing on this stretch of road cannot be allowed to cause disruption throughout our network of services in the area.

“We will be monitoring the situation as the development work progresses and will restore buses to their normal route as soon as traffic conditions allow. ”

Mr Lewis said before 9.30am and after 4pm and at weekends, buses will use their normal routes into town.

There is no change to the route for buses leaving the town via Victoria Avenue.