A road in Westcliff has been closed for more than a day after a gas leak.

The National Grid was called out after residents reported a strong smell of gas at the junction between Nelson Road and Silversea Drive, at about 10.30pm on Monday.

Silversea Drive was closed off while work was carried out to repair damage to a main and the road block continued for all of yesterday.

Angry residents claim poor signs led to chaos on the road, with confused motorists driving up pathways and even moving cones to get past the cordoned off area.

The road was closed off in both directions in Silversea Drive. The National Grid claims it will finish works today.

One Nelson Road resident, who did not want to be named, said: “There was a strong smell of gas and a lot of the neighbours reported it in.

“They worked through the night, but my issue is with the signs – drivers don’t know the road is closed until they come to the blockade.

“We’ve had drivers moving the cones to get past and driving up the pathway, which is really dangerous.”

Workers from the National Grid carried out repairs throughout the night.

A spokesman said: “We had to dig down to the mains to repair and in order to do this we had to temporarily close Silversea Drive. The repair has been completed now and the road will be reinstated today.”