PLANS are on hold to create a layby in Steeple Bumpstead which could be used by hearses.

A scheme was previously approved by Braintree Council's Local Highways Panel to create a layby in Finchingfield Road.

Councillors had said hearses driving to the cemetery pull up onto a verge and are rutting it.

They believe a layby could solve this and £3,000 has been set aside to look into it.

However in an agenda which is being looked at during a meeting on Thursday, January 19, it said there are a number of issues to be considered.

It said: "The level difference from the edge of carriageway to the back of the verge is quite large and to install a parking bay would mean excavating a large amount of the verge, this could affect the brick wall that is there.

"There is also a BT cover towards the end of the verge which would need to be moved, this could add significantly to the delivery costs of the scheme. "There is a bench in-situ as well and this would likely need to be removed to allow the bay to be installed."