We have lost years of our lives to Britain's longest-running roadworks and there is STILL no end in sight
When a set of temporary traffic lights were turned on for the first time in 2015, locals assumed this would be nothing more than a short-term fix.
But a decade later, commuters in Witham, Essex, are still seeing the red light while waiting to cross the now-infamous Woodend Bridge.
Since 2019, nearly £500,000 has been spent on the 'temporary' scheme that has become one of the town's biggest claims to fame.
While some find ways to poke fun at the situation that has blighted their morning commute for ten years, many are fed up with what has become the National Highways' longest-running roadworks.
Ranked first among the 17 things to do on Witham on Tripadvisor, the now one-carriageway bridge runs over Essex's busiest route - the A12 - and leads towards London.
Many commuters have taken to the review site to post their sarcastic tips for visitors looking to indulge in the 'tourist attraction' as the bridge 'celebrates' its unwanted tenth anniversary.
'I come across this set of roadworks regularly and there are very few experiences in life that beat the feeling of staring at the endless red light as the sun slowly sets and your evening ebbs away into darkness,' wrote contributor Leo M.
'Luckily there is a fuel station and small shop nearby for sustenance during your long wait, along with a garden furniture shop so you can sit and relax while hearing the cars flowing beneath the bridge and knowing everyone else is going about their lives.
Ten years after temporary traffic lights were installed, commuters in Witham, Essex, still find themselves losing hours of their day while waiting to cross the now-infamous Woodend Bridge
Since 2019, nearly £500,000 has been spent on maintaining the lights on the bridge that has reached a level of notoriety so strong, that it has become the town's leading attraction
The now one-carriageway bridge runs over Essex's busiest route - the A12 - and leads towards London
'If you want a real treat approach these lights from the opposite direction. An adventure shrouded in legend and mystery, more men have walked the surface of the moon.
'It is said that any adventurer that manages to pass this way will receive all of their earthly desires and become a hero of the people.'
While the main direction of the bridge caters for thousands of drivers to join the A12, the other serves a cattery and a farmer's field - yet the lights give equal priority to both.
A freedom of information request submitted by the BBC revealed that £473,196 has been spent on maintaining the contraflow system since 2019.
However this figure is expected to be much higher in total, after National Highways said they were unable to provide figures from 2015-2019.
And many locals have believe the taxpayer is being taken advantage of while the government agency 'ignores the problem'.
Driving instructor Steve Thomas told the BBC he has to warn his students about the traffic lights, which he branded 'permanent' rather than temporary.
He said: 'If I have an early morning driving test in Chelmsford, I have to think about how long it's going to take us to get out of Witham and get to the test centre on time.
A freedom of information request submitted revealed that £473,196 has been spent on maintaining the contraflow system since 2019
'I've seen it first-hand the amount of traffic that can build up here because of the lights. They've been there a decade now and it's just too long.
'It's a pure waste of money that is costing the taxpayer.'
The waiting times caused by the bridge has even seen staff at nearby catteries be abused by motorists when using the crossing to get back to Witham.
One Essex community group even joked about the roadworks affecting Santa's Christmas plans last year, with many venting their frustrations in the comments.
Keith D'Arcy said they were 'the most pointless 'temporary' lights in the world' as the original post jested about Father Christmas using 'same adjusted route as Christmas in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023' to deliver presents.
Meanwhile, Jim Hurst commented: 'Roadworks implies they are actually doing something there, instead of ignoring the problem.'
National Highways said the closure has been necessary because the bridge is 'unable to safely support the weight of traffic', adding that they are hoping to make progress on repairing the bridge in 2026.
A spokesperson said: 'Repairing the integral structure of this bridge is complex and much of our focus has been finalising a design that causes the least disruption to drivers who rely on the A12 that runs underneath.
'We acknowledge the duration that traffic management has been in place for the safety of those using the bridge and apologise for any inconvenience.'
