PAVEMENTS along a busy road are too narrow for pedestrians to use safely, concerned councillors claim.

With major roadworks underway to improve the Nevendon junction, off the A127, it is believed more people will attempt to walk from Wickford to Basildon to avoid congestion.

Councillors fear people, especially parents with prams, will be putting their lives at risk as the path along Nevendon Road is not wide enough.

Peter Holliman, Wickford Independents councillor for Wickford North, fears cars will begin to speed down the road once work to widen the Nevendon junction from two lanes to three is complete- making the stretch even more dangerous for pedestrians.

He said: “I understand that residents have been in touch with Essex County Council as they want something done about the footpaths.

“The paths are so narrow that it would be difficult for a woman with a big buggy to get along that path and it can be a bit tight for two people to walk side by side.

“I don’t know what will happen when the works are being carried out at the Nevendon junction, I think there will be more people walking along the pavements to avoid driving because of the congestion.

“It is dangerous and the cars and vehicles are driving so close to the path and pedestrians. It may be even worse when the works are completed because the dual carriageway will be extended from the top of Nevendon Road along the road so traffic will be travelling faster.

“I really do sympathise with the residents and people who are using this pavement.”

Alan Ball, Wickford Independents councillor for Wickford Castledon, said he has received numerous complaints from concerned residents.

He was reported the concerns to highways bosses at Essex County Council.

Mr Ball said: "It is dangerous for people walking along the pavement there.

“It is a big issue and we do need a solution to this problem pretty quickly.

“Pavement improvements works along Nevendon Road could be included as part of the works to improvement the Nevendon junction."

As part of the junction improvement scheme, work is also being carried out to create a dedicated left turn lane for vehicles joining Nevendon Road from the A127.

The merging lanes on the road will be lengthened, and new traffic lights installed.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said no plans are in place to widen the footpath, which is being extended so pedestrians can cross the roundabout at the Nevendon junction.

The spokesman said: “The scheme to improve the Nevendon junction will build a new pavement from the A127 slip road round to Nevendon Road first, so that pedestrians will be able to continue to walk that way, away from the construction work.

"Pavement widths will be maintained.”