Council bosses fear Halstead is missing out on traffic improvement schemes and are demanding answers on what can be done to relieve growing pressure on the town’s roads.

Halstead Town Council says it is still awaiting a reply from Essex Highways over its concerns about the strategic transport route, which sends traffic directly through the middle of the town along the A131.

A letter was sent to Highways back in June asking if anything can be done to ease the increasing build-up of traffic through the town.

Major concerns were raised about Head Street, which has been described as a “pinch-point” and is said to be too narrow for lorries and larger vehicles

But four months have now passed by and the town council is still waiting for Highways to open up talks.

Town and district councillor Jackie Pell says a bypass would be one way to alleviate pressure on Halstead’s roads and is confident one will be built in the future.

However, she is upset to see there are no immediate plans in place to improve any of the town’s existing roads.

Mrs Pell said: “I was shocked to hear there is nothing planned for Halstead.

“When you look at all the proposals, Halstead sticks out like a sore thumb because there are no improvements on the way.

“We keep getting more lorries passing through the High Street but they don’t seem to be looking at it.

“People living on Head Street have to put up with all these cars and heavy goods vehicles mounting the pavement right outside their homes.

“They do need to look at the strategic route and what improvements can be made to help Halstead.”

Essex Highways plans to spend £3.6million in the next three years improving stretches of the A131 between Braintree and Sudbury.

Schemes being considered are changes to the Broad Road and Marks Farm Roundabouts and a redesign of the High Garrett junction.

Further towards Halstead, the villages of Plaistow Green and Bulmer Tye could see non-slip surfacing installed and surrounding signage will be improved to increase safety for drivers.

A spokesman for Essex Highways insisted schemes are being looked at to ease concerns over traffic along Head Street.

He added: “The Braintree Local Highway Panel are currently working on proposals to improve the situation, where lorries sometimes mount the pavement on a particularly narrow section of the A131 Head Street in the town. “

“Unfortunately a bollard cannot be put on the pavement, since it is too narrow.

“However, other possible improvements such as better warning signs are being considered.”

The spokesman added: “Essex County Council has secured funding for a £7.3million investment in the A131 and A130 mainly for roundabouts and bus lanes to improve both traffic flow and road safety.”