CAMPAIGNERS had victory snatched from them after losing a major ruling in their battle to stop a council renaming and renumbering roads on their estate.

Basildon Council wants to change the numbering system on Five Links, in Laindon, because it believes emergency services struggle to find their way around the estate, nicknamed Alcatraz for its fortress-like appearance.

A district judge originally ruled in favour of the campaigning neighbours and blocked the council’s plans, but a long-running legal battle saw the decision reversed at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The council has welcomed the ruling as an end to the dispute, but campaigners insist they will continue to fight against the plans.

If they go ahead, more than 400 properties on the estate will be affected.

Terri Sargent, Tory councillor responsible for environment and community, said: “As a council we had an obligation towards current and future residents to ensure road names and more importantly numbers are consistent and coherent.

“The council will now move forward with its regeneration of the Five Links estate for the benefit of the whole community.”

District Judge Gareth Branston originally ruled in favour of campaigners, led by Ukip councillor Frank Ferguson and Five Links Residents’ Association chairman John James, in April 2015.

The council appealed the legal basis for the decision, resulting in a High Court judge throwing out the original judgment and landing the residents with a £40,000 legal bill in November.

Judge Branston reconsidered his original decision yesterday, having been given new guidelines on which to make his ruling.

Mr Ferguson, councillor for Lee Chapel North, who has financed the legal appeal, in excess of £40,000, insists he will continue to try to prevent the changes.

He said: “The judge said he made his decision with the greatest reluctance. His hands were tied but he still considers the council to be wrong.”

Despite the council’s justification for the changes, Mr Ferguson believes changing road names will actually confuse emergency services and potentially cost lives.

He added: “The issue is one of signage, not names. Signs matter because the estate is complicated no matter what you call the roads.

“At every access point, it needs to be clearly indicated what is nearby.”

Judge: Council is ignoring residents

DESPITE ruling in favour of Basildon Council, district judge Gareth Branston criticised the authority for disregarding the wishes of estate residents.

Judge Branston issued a 16-page ruling outlining the reasons for his decision.

He said: “As is obvious from my first judgment, I do not consider the borough council’s decision is the right decision.

“It is a decision made by a council officer and one elected councillor.

“It is a decision rejected by a vote of the full council. In particular, it is a decision which is rejected by more than 400 residents of the areas who will actually be affected and who actively opposed the decision by bringing this appeal at court.

“It is a decision which, on the evidence presented to me, is not demonstrably supported by any resident.

“One might have thought the democratically-elected borough council would now have some regard to the wishes and feelings of its constituency.”