NEW traffic lights which aim to improve traffic on the A414 through the centre of Danbury will be switched on next week.

The signals located at Mayes Lane and Little Baddow Road will be switched on from Tuesday.

They will only operate in peak hours when traffic is heaviest and will hold traffic on side roads before they meet the mini-roundabouts to smooth flows across the roundabouts.

There will be a period when the traffic signal operation may be adjusted to achieve maximum effectiveness.

The Essex Traffic Control Centre will monitor traffic flow on CCTV.

There will be temporary signs on the side roads to warn road users that the signals are in use with timings subject to adjustment.

Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Eddie Johnson, said: “Improving the route through Danbury is a key element of our project to improve the southern section of the A414, which is a busy link between Chelmsford and Maldon. This work adds to the resurfacing works carried out during 2015.”

The traffic lights are part of the improvement strategy for the A414 between Chelmsford and Maldon, jointly funded through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and Essex County Council.