RESIDENTS have been forced to endure a week of overnight disruption in order to see much-needed improvement made to a busy road.

Halstead’s Head Street has been in an unloved state for a number of years, and residents see the work was necessary.

The road is being resurfaced, but the decision to do the work overnight has left some residents battling sleepless nights.

Several residents have complained the noise disruption has left their families struggling to settle down at night.

Another had several items of crockery smashed due to the powerful vibrations from lorries knocking them off a shelf.

Paula Finch, of Head Street, said: “The road needed repairs so it had to be done.

“It is unfortunate that it is loud and it had to be done overnight so it caused some disruption, but there is no way they could close the road in the day, it is far too busy.

“I believe some work was done in the summer but pot holes had started to emerge again and it is best it is done before winter.

“What we really needed is a bypass to stop so many people coming through the middle of town.”

Danni Pickering, of Head Street, said: “It’s just a nightmare and very loud.

“I love waking up to find the vibration of the lorries on Monday night caused our crockery to fall out a closed cupboard smash on floor and the door shut again.

“We heard a smash in the night but didn’t think anything of it.

“And then my partner Craig woke up to it.

“It definitely needed doing it was really bad and will be worth it when it’s done. “It is completely worth all the disruption definitely, it is just rather noisy unfortunately.” A

n Essex County Council statement read: “This work is carried out overnight to resurface the road in Head Street and its continuation into Sudbury Road from November 27 until December 4.

“The work is taking place overnight to minimise disruptions and ensure it is completed as quickly as possible.

“Our crews will keep noise disruption to an absolute minimum.

“We ensure that the louder elements of the work take place earlier in the evening when people are not likely to be asleep.”