Homes have been turned into an “island” because of series of roadworks

VILLAGERS say their homes have been turned into an “island” because of a series of roadworks, which have caused traffic chaos and led cars to start driving on their front lawns. One Hullbridge resident said she counted 93 cars and vans travelling along her narrow private road in a single ten-minute spell on Tuesday afternoon. That did not include the single-decker bus which also travelled through on the same day.

The issue has been caused by a series of roadworks in the village, including emergency gasworks taking place on Lower Road, which have led drivers to look for ways to escape traffic jams. Suzanne King lives in First Avenue, a private road off Central Avenue. She said: “There is no passing space on this single track without driving onto people’s front lawns, which is what happened yesterday.

“Neighbours have had people trying to turn around on their drive and then they’re blocked in. Truck drivers have got and moved the road blockages where the gas people have blocked the road with their equipment. “It means they’re driving on a grass verge which is now just a quagmire.

You can’t even walk anywhere because of the motorists trying to use this cut through.” Mrs King, who is a retired business owner, fears that residents will be left to foot the bill when damage is caused to the road. She added: “Ultimately when everything is fixed and put back in place it will be the people who live here who will have to put their hands into their savings to repair the road.”

It has led Mrs King to feel like the village is being made into an isolated “island”, with routes in and out of Hullbridge affected. An Essex Highways spokesman said: “When a road needs to be closed, a permit is applied for. Before the permit is approved, Essex Highways makes sure the works won’t clash with another set in the area.

“However, if emergency works need to take place, works can begin without a permit as it is often urgent these works take place, such as repairs to a gas main. 

“This issue was heightened by emergency works carried out by Cadent Gas to repair a gas escape on Lower Road.

“The road closure would encourage vehicles to divert down Hullbridge Road, which already had permitted works taking place using temporary traffic lights.”