ANGRY residents are calling for HGVs to keep off a diversion route after housing development work cut them off from rest of their village.

The top of Tey Road, Earls Colne has been closed to drivers since March 22 while developers carry out sewer and water works on a new development.

The closure means residents at Lowefields off Tey Road must head south to Chalkney Wood and America Road to reach Earls Colne.

Many residents say the single-lane road is not fit for purpose, with dangerous blind bends and large potholes.

Now they claim the road surface has been made even worse by HGVs using the diversion to reach the worksite.

Residents say builder Oakland Country Homes previously said they would not use the diversion route for HGVs.

They have been stopping lorries and showing drivers proof of why they can’t use the diversion route.

Halstead county councillor Chris Siddall spoke to Lowefields residents last week.

He said: “Anyone who has ever used this road will testify that it is a very narrow single-track road where in many places it is impossible to see oncoming vehicles.

“In normal times, with just cars using this route, it is a challenge to navigate, and this has been made even worse by HGVs using it. I can assure you that when you meet a HGV head on it is very daunting and dangerous, as I have experienced first-hand myself.

“For this reason many elderly people living in this area are currently terrified to use the route and this is a totally unacceptable situation.”

He added: “The planning permission and statement from Oakland Country Homes specifically states that HGVs would not use the diverted route during the time the Tey Road junction on to Lower Holt Street was closed, and access would be arranged via the road closure route as and when required going past the roadworks.

“Whilst this is happening, it does not happen on every occasion, and naturally the residents are angry that the developer is not adhering to his own rules.

“Having been in touch with both Braintree Council and Essex County Council highways, I am grateful they are both taking the concerns of residents seriously and have contacted the developer to see how this can avoided in future.