POLICE are cracking down on dangerous drivers making an illegal manoeuvre at Sadlers Farm.

Road traffic officers were parked up at the roundabout on Monday evening, watching out for motorists ignoring ‘No Left Turn’ signs when joining Canvey Way from London Road, Benfleet.

Drivers travelling clockwise on the roundabout are supposed to use a designated sliproad.

Some have been spotted regularly passing the turning to bypass traffic, instead using the anti-clockwise junction to join Canvey Way - when they are in fact in the lane to continue onto the London-bound A13.

And Essex Police’s road policing unit caught seven drivers using the left hand turn during a short operation on Monday evening - including one with no MOT and another carrying four passengers in the back seats.

The police operation came as a direct result of concerns raised by residents.

Susan Lodge, 62, of Long Road, Canvey, admitted it was an issue she spots far too regularly when driving onto Canvey, particularly during rush hour.

She said: “It really baffles me every time I see drivers do it, because how much time do they save? It can’t be more than 10 minutes.

“I drive back onto the island during rush hour a couple of times a week, and you do see it.

“I have never reported it myself, but I know in the past my husband has called it in to 101.

“Quite frankly, it is dangerous, you can’t just be cutting across roads where you wish can you?

“I am glad the police have cracked down, hopefully it will stop a few people doing the same.”

In November 2016, a police operation saw the force hand out £100 fines and three points to anyone caught using the left turn lane.

Left hand only signs were introduced in 2012.

Essex County Council had spent £63million transforming the infamous Benfleet roundabout in a bid to simplify the multi-roundabout junction and improve journey times.

However, serious safety concerns were raised after drivers travelling along the Southend-bound A13 towards Canvey Way have been seen turning left into oncoming traffic by mistake.

Essex Police southern roads policing unit tweeted: “We attended Sadlers Farm roundabout, Benfleet, last night and dealt with people contravening the no left turn to skip the queue onto Canvey Way.

“One of the seven had three kids and an adult in the back and another had no MOT.”

Contact 101 with dashcam footage or information.