Essex County Council to repair Billericay Hillside Road potholes

It comes as Lee Scott, Conservative Essex County councillor responsible for highways maintenance and sustainable transport, confirmed to Basildon councillors of an urgent review on September 4.

After months of pain for Hillside Road, Billericay, residents trying to swerve around them with oncoming traffic, Essex Highways will be closing the road at all times from October 23 to the 27.

Big - Hillside Road potholes (Image: Andrew Schrader)Andrew Schrader, Billericay East ward Conservative councillor, said: “I very much welcome this, but I would have preferred a full resurfacing.

“Patching in the countless big potholes in the road is only going to be a temporary solution and the issue is just going to be repeating itself.

“However, it is good news that something is going to be done to fix its deplorable state because it is becoming dangerous for pedestrians as cars are weaving all over the place, like rally drivers, to avoid them.

“But I realise a full resurfacing is a much bigger budget and needs to be placed on the full programme of maintenance list.

“This is the first step to resolving the issue on Hillside Road.”

According to Essex County Council’s public notice, it said the purpose of the work is for the “safety of the public and workforce”.

Hillside Road is scheduled to be closed on October 23 from its junction with Chapel Street, to its junction with Langemore Way, and will last for five days.

Closure - Hillside Road (Image: Google Maps)

An alternative route is available via Chapel Street, Sun Street, Southend Road, Bell Hill Roundabout, Outwood Common Road, Greens Farm Lane, Meadow Rise, and vice versa.

During this time, access for emergency service vehicles and pedestrians will be “maintained at all times” during the closure.

Earlier this month, Anthony Headley, Billericay West ward Conservative councillor, received confirmation from Mr Scott ordered an emergency inspection of Hillside Road.

It follows numerous repair missions to fix the ripped open tarmac.

Earlier this year, Great Knightleys, in Basildon, also had a review and resulted in the holes being filled in two weeks.