Anger over Factory Hill six week road closure in Tiptree

Anglian Water closed Factory Hill in Tiptree on Tuesday to install a new water pipeline.

The road is set to be closed for 39 days although letters have been sent to residents stating works are hoped to be finished earlier.

However, many drivers have complained of severe delays and traffic chaos.

One affected resident, Kirsty Beckwith says the closure is “causing mayhem and chronic inconvenience along with safety issues”.

She said: “I appreciate this work has to be done but to have no access by car into Tiptree is beyond inconvenient.

• Resident says 39-day road closure will make trips more than 20 miles longer

“There has been traffic jams along the country lanes as this is mostly a single track.

“The route for the diversion is far too long and would take people miles out, albeit a safer route.

“I run a personal training business from home and am having clients cancel because they don’t want the added journey.

“This is going to cost me money through loss of earnings and I find this highly unacceptable.”

She added: “The fact that throughout winter parents will be having to take children to school along these icy roads that are also having to be used by vans and lotus is absurd and dangerous.”

Anglian Water says it hopes to complete its works within three weeks and continue to liaise with its traffic management team to make it clear Factory Hill is closed.

• Busy road to close for more than two weeks (and nine other upcoming roadworks)

It also said it had put up “Unsuitable for HGV” signs in places where it has indicated problems.

Roads where issues have been discovered by the company include Strawberry Lane, Tudwick Road, the Brook Road roundabout, entry into Kelvedon Road from Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Beckingham Road in Tolleshunt Major and reported speeding in Tudwick Road.

Residents are advised to stick to the diversion route in place.

In a letter to Tiptree Parish Council chairman Roger Mannion, Anglian Water said: “It is not an option for us to complete this work without the road closure as the location of existing utilities and the space for our working area encroach both carriageways.”