FURIOUS residents fear someone could be hurt if their pothole-ridden road isn’t repaired soon.

Motorists claim they have already had to pay for repairs to their cars caused by the potholes in Poplar Road, Rayleigh, while there are concerns pedestrians and cyclists could be injured by the defects.

One of the potholes is deep enough to fit a broom head inside, but despite numerous complaints from residents and Rayleigh Central ward councillor, Cheryl Roe, repairs haven’t been done.

Ernie Heywood, 82, has lived in the road for 59 years and said something must be done.

He said: “The road has never been this bad in all my years here. One of them is right in the middle of a bend, which makes it very dangerous and I’ve seen a paperboy come off his bike because he didn’t know it was there.

“Another hole is by the pavement, but with cars parked on the other side of the road, people have no choice but to drive into it.

“The potholes are getting bigger and the stones kick up from cars when they drive over the holes, flicking out onto other cars and chipping paintwork.”

Echo:

Crater – one of the potholes in Poplar Road, Rayleigh

Mrs Roe has taken up the issue with Essex County Council's highways department, but is fed up of being told an engineer will assess the issue and then repairs not happening.

She said: “I’m aware there are other issues with potholes in other roads, but I have been told Poplar Road is low priority, which is unacceptable.

“We have been patient enough, how long do you have to keep complaining before anything actually gets done?

“There are six others potholes on the road as well, which could end up getting worse.

“The residents have complained on numerous occasions and we are so frustrated – it is an accident waiting to happen.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We have received reports of the pothole on Poplar Road and it has been logged for repair as soon as is practicable.”