Work underway on hazardous flood-hit roads after calls for action

Concerns over the safety of Sloe Hill and Foxborough Hill near Halstead have been raised numerous times by residents.

The roads are prone to flooding which poses a danger to drivers.

Matters are made worse in the winter months with poor lighting and visibility and the prospect of ice making the roads treacherous.

Complaints by residents resulted in Halstead area councillors calling for action.

Jo Beavis, who is a district and county councillor wrote to Essex County Council leader David Finch calling to work to be done on the road.

Essex County Council has now started work at both sites.

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “We cleared and jetted all the road drains on Sloe Hill, which we left working normally.

“On Halstead Road in Sible Hedingham we started work on January 11 to install new road drains and clear a vital ditch which receives the water from our drains. We are liaising with the landowner.

“Currently a tanker is there every morning to keep the road free of standing water for drivers and to enable our works to be carried out as quickly as possible.

“We expect to finish the work by Friday, January 22, at the latest.

“Meanwhile, we ask all drivers and other road users to slow down and take extra care in the area, please.”

The council’s quick response pleased Mrs Beavis but she now hopes work will be carried out to make other roads safe during winter.

She added: “Local residents, of which I am one, are tired and fed up with the flooding situation in the location of Foxborough Hills and Sloe Hill with many saying ‘I will believe it when I see it’ and I am inclined to agree.

“These flood areas are not only dangerous, day and night, they are the significant roads in the lives of residents.

“There are, of course, other areas of local flooding that residents have asked for my support on but Foxborough Hills and Sloe Hill are longstanding flood areas – both on busy roads between our main market town of Halstead and the villages.”