PLANS to upgrade a zebra crossing at a village accident blackspot have been delayed.

The crossing, on Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, has had £25,000 allocated to be upgraded to a pelican crossing.

But after initially being bookmarked for the 2017/18 year, the scheme has been pushed back to 2018/19.

Sible Hedingham Parish Council is growing frustrated with the delays, as it views the crossing as an immediate risk to residents.

Council chairman, Ron Volkwyn, said: “It has been pushed back every year for the last few years.

“We were promised it would be in this financial year, but it is not.

“Simply, it is disgraceful.

“It is a real concern for us on the parish council, as well as our residents, and it has been for a number of years.

“It is terrible, but all we can do is continue to put pressure on the Highways department, which we will do.

“I know full well that it could be done for considerable less, if we hired our own contractors it would be a reasonable price and done in a few days.

“But we have to go through the process unfortunately.”

Sible Hedingham Parish Council has raised concerns about the current crossing outside the Post Office on a number of occasions.

Councillors had said there had been near misses due to the poor visibility of the crossing, and because of speeding cars.

Swan Street is known as an accident blackspot, and the issue of the crossing has been raised numerous times at Local Highways Panel meetings, including last night.

Although plans for the pelican crossing have been delayed, a speed indication display will be installed as you enter the village.

£8,500 has been allocated for the sign, to be delivered this financial year, meaning speeding drivers will be met with a sad face as they drive into the village along Swan Street. Essex County Council and Braintree Council was contacted for comment.