ESSEX’S highways chief has agreed to take another look at compensation claims from drivers who say their cars were damaged by the firm which resurfaced Canvey Way this summer.

Norman Hume, county councillor responsible for highways and transport, has promised to reconsider drivers’ claims.

Canvey county councillor Ray Howard has been lobbying on behalf of the many drivers who say their cars were damaged by loose chippings on the newly-resurfaced road in July.

Contractor May Gurney, initially turned down drivers’ claims, sending each claimant a dismissive standard letter.

The letter simply said nobody would be receiving a payout, because an internal investigation by the company had concluded May Gurney was not negligent.

Yesterday Mr Howard met Mr Hume to put the drivers’ case.

Many say they were landed with hefty repair bills to replace chipped windscreens and respray bodywork.

Mr Howard said: “I simply asked Mr Hume why, if May Gurney had the insurance it ought to have as a council contractor, there had been a flat refusal for compensation.

“Although I have no engineering qualifications, I have been involved in highway matters for 40 years.

“I speak with some knowledge and to me the work was not carried out correctly.

“Mr Hume has promised to go back and have further discussions over the question of compensation.”

Mr Howard said he had received dozens of complaints from motorists who claimed their cars had been damaged by the work.

Photographer Jim Robbins, 61, of Corona Road, Canvey, was one of the drivers affected.

He paid £400 to have his windscreen replaced and said he had pictures which proved resurfacing had not been done properly.

He said: “I took photographs of the last 100 metres or so of Canvey Way, where it meets Canvey Road.

“There are clear tyre tracks in the road, which I believe show the resin had not properly dried by the time the road was reopened. I will take any action necessary to gain recompense for what I believe is somebody’s incompetence.”