CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after work was completed on a long-awaited roundabout.

After 22 months of work on creating the new roundabout on the A120 at Hare Green, it has now been finished...eight months late.

The works cost £3 million but it is hoped the new roundabout will improve safety on the A120 between the Harwich Road and Pellens Corner junctions.

Figures released by Highways England showed there had been 23 recorded collisions between 2011 and 2016 causing 52 casualties - with three of those being fatal.

The agency found most of the collisions involved right turn manoeuvres to or from side roads.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Geoff Chatfield, project manager for Highways England, said: “Safety is Highways England’s top priority and this new roundabout will undoubtedly save lives in the years to come.

“By replacing the four sub-standard junctions on to the A120 with this modern roundabout, we are improving journeys for everyone using this important trunk road and providing better, safer access for people using roads nearby.

“I’d like to thank people for their patience as we completed this crucial upgrade and now we are confident that their journeys will be improved because of this work.”

The completion of the roundabout was scheduled for the end of last year but suffered months of setbacks.

The project was delayed by problems including drainage.

Kate Strowbridge, the chairwoman of Great Bromley Parish Council, said: “Great Bromley village is delighted that the long-awaited roundabout at Hare Green is complete.

“We hope the new roundabout prevents any repeat of the horrendous and sometimes fatal accidents that occurred regularly at this junction.”

The new roundabout followed years of lobbying by campaigners who demanded action be taken to make the Hare Green junction safer.

The final part of the scheme will see the gaps in the nearby central reservation closed permanently.

This work will be completed over the next month.