Cabbies stumped by new streets

3:51pm Monday 20th November 2006

Cabbies have been left scratching their heads by changes to the road network on Laindon's Five Links estate.

Taxi driver Ralph Morgan claimed it has become almost impossible for taxi drivers to find their way around the estate, because so many new streets have been created over the last 18 months.

So he has been urging Essex County Council, on behalf of his cabbie colleagues, to publish a new map including all the new road names.

He said: "I would say there must be more than 20 new roads added since they started rebuilding the estate, which are not on any map at the moment.

"Then there are all the new blocks of flats which keep popping up. A lot of them have been designed to look like houses, which makes it even more confusing. We do our best, but it is a struggle to find your way."

A county council spokesman said: "Our area manager will contact Basildon Council next week to discuss what can be done."