A COUNCIL has been accused of wasting taxpayers’ money after a housing estate was incorrectly renamed.

The Basildon Council blunder saw signs emblazoned with Welcome to Forest Glade installed at the junctions of Highview and Mandeville Way, and Nightingales and Mandeville Way, in Langdon Hills.

The two signs, which were designed to warn motorists to drive carefully and watch their speed as they entered the area, should have read Welcome to Great Berry as Forest Glade is just a street on the estate.

The council is now having to pay out for replacements.

Linda Allport-Hodge, leader of the Ukip group and ward councillor for Langdon Hills, said: “Forest Glade isn’t a designated area.

“At a time of budget cuts when every penny of taxpayers’ money is being is being stretched to the limit in terms of services, it’s pretty disgraceful they can’t get something like this right.

“It’s important designated areas of the community are signposted correctly."

Kerry Smith, Independent county and borough councillor, said: “The council’s heart was in the right place,” and believes the mistake could have happened as Basildon Council also commissioned new smaller street signs for Forest Glade as the previous ones were damaged.

Mr Smith said: “It’s an error which is going to be put right.

“Basildon Council actually stepped in to address an issue which has really an Essex County Council matter. I’m pleased it was responding to residents’ concerns about speeding.

“It’s a shame this has happened.

It seems to be a typo, but no one is really sure how it happened.”

Last month the Echo revealed Great Berry Primary School, in Forest Glade, Langdon Hills, was one of ten schools in the borough which would get 20mph zones outside as part of a road safety initiative by the local highways panel.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “The signs were placed in error. The correct signs will be in place soon.”