DRIVERS were temporarily trapped after a fallen tree blocked a road at one end and a carnival procession barred their exit at the other.

The tree fell in IrvonHill Road, Wickford, on Saturday, at 9.30am and it was still blocking the road hours later when the annual carnival paraded through the town.

Emergency services could not move the tree until the power had been shut down, because it had brought down live cables.

This meant motorists found their only route to avoid the procession was closed off by police.

Hugh Hunter, 67, of Spencers Court, saw the tree fall from his window.

The retired firefighter said: “I heard a large crack at about 9.30am.

“I thought there had been an accident at first and when I looked out of my window I saw the tree fall.

“It was lucky there wasn’t a pedestrian walking along at the time.

“The police were brilliant, but it’s a shame the fire service wouldn’t come out to make it safe. I used to do that, but this must be another affect of the cuts.”

Homes in the area lost power for about five hours because the tree had damaged cables.

Meanwhile, as the carnival procession moved through the High Street, drivers were stuck in jams because their only route on to London Road was blocked.

Instead, they tried to drive down Market Road and Woodlands Road, a service road alongside Wickford Market.

Matt Fox, 31, of Castledon Road, Wickford, said he was harangued by a market trader who tried to stop the cars.

Some of the motorists drove past, but Mr Fox got out of his car to explain what was happening and was met with abuse.

Mr Fox, who was driving his two children home from Wickford Swimming Pool, said: “He was really aggressive. It was unnecessary because I wasn’t directing any bad language at him, we were just trying to go home.

“I know it is supposed to be a market road, but when you are trapped it’s the only way.”

Essex Police helped to find a contractor to remove the tree, but Irvon Hill Road was not reopened until 7pm.