TRAVEL chaos at a notorious rail underpass is set to undergo a rush-hour traffic watch in a bid to prove the need for change.

Earlier this year councillors revealed plans for traffic lights, costing £100,000, to be installed at the controversial rail bridge near Manningtree Station in Lawford following meetings with Essex County Council cabinet member for Highways Rodney Bass.

The first step is to have a survey at the site, which would include assessing how long the level crossing is down and the number of cars in the resultant queue at peak times.

A £10,000 cash pot for the feasibility study is now in the pipeline with hopes it could prove the need to scrap the current priorty system, which sees vehicles travelling from Brantham given right-of-way under the bridge.

Lawford, Tendring and Essex county councillor Carlo Guglielmi: “It is finally beginning to take shape and I really welcome it. I have been on to officers to process this as quickly as possible."