CAMPAIGNERS fear 500 new homes in Rayleigh could cause unnacceptable delays for 999 crews because roads will not cope with more traffic.

An ambulance called to an emergency was forced to turn around recently in nose-to-tail traffic in Rawreth Lane, after it had got only half a mile down the road.

The homes are planned for land between London Road and Rawreth Lane. The incident happened on September 26, when Watery Lane was closed for roadworks.

Jeff Attfield, of Keswick Avenue, Hullbridge, has documented his trips in Rawreth Lane since Watery Lane was closed in July, and saw the ambulance abandon its journey.

He said: “If not this time, then it could easily be a matter of life-or- death. Congestion is a major issue – and will only get worse. The council has not thought about it and decided to put 500 homes there, as well as in Hullbridge. Watery Lane floods regularly and is closed, so this was not a one-off.”

Bruce Smart, Rayleigh town councillor for Downhall and Rawreth, raised at a planning meeting the possibility of trouble for emergency services, unaware such a problem had already arisen.

He said: “Regardless of what happens with the new homes, there is urgent need for the system to Hullbridge to be looked at. We have previously proposed a left filter lane from Rawreth Lane on to Hullbridge Road to avoid this gridlock, but were told it cost too much.”

Rochford District Council said it was required to accommodate more housing and by producing its own plans it could manage any development appropriately.

A spokesman said: “The council has the teeth to demand infrastructure improvements accompany new development.

“In the case of this site, any planning application has to identify the impact on roads and for these impacts to be addressed.

“In addition, the plan proposes an additional link between London Road and Rawreth Lane alongside the development, and that use of the link for private car use be restricted to prevent ‘rat-running’.”

The ambulance service was unable to confirm whether the vehicle abandoned its journey due to traffic, or was called to another job.