A NEW roundabout could be installed in Hadleigh town centre as part of £60million regeneration plans, sparking confusion over what the final road layout will be.

Introducing two-way traffic along High Road and restricting traffic in London Road between Rectory Road and Hadleigh Old Fire Station feature at the heart of the masterplan, which aims to boost trade and revitalise the town.

Critics claim the move will lead to heavy congestion and roads such as Church Road and Scrub Lane becoming rat runs for motorists seeking to avoid the A13.

Now, residents have confessed to feeling baffled after being told last week considerations are being made to introduce a roundabout near Hadleigh Old Fire Station.

Neil Hamper, 70, of Benfleet Road, Hadleigh, said: “Introducing a roundabout and two-way traffic on the High Road will just cause gridlocks on the road. People already have trouble getting out of Homestead Gardens, and this will only make it worse.

"At first we thought London Road was to be pedestrianised, then that access to the Southend-bound A13 from London Road would only be for emergency vehicles, now a roundabout. For heaven’s sake we just want to know what’s going on.”

The move could mean drivers travelling from Rectory Road into London Road wanting to go towards Southend will have to turn right in the opposite direction, past the fire station and round the roundabout back left onto the High Road.

Mystery surrounds what the final road layout will be until the results of traffic survey, undertaken by Essex County Council in October, emerge.
 

Councillor Derrick Louis, cabinet member for highways and transportation at Essex County Council, said: “Essex County Council supports Castle Point in its ambitions to regenerate Hadleigh Town Centre and will do its utmost to ensure the highway proposals are the best option for Hadleigh residents and visitors.”

Castle Point Council confirmed additional analysis is being carried out following the survey to assess the viability of the traffic layout and its impact on the wider road network which is expected to be released in March.