RESIDENTS are again demanding urgent repairs to a road branded the “worst in the constituency”.

People living in Oak Road, Crays Hill, say Essex County Council has gone back on promises to resurface the single-track lane.

They say potholes are so bad road conditions are regularly causing damage to vehicles and the problem is compounded by litter-clogged ditches which mean it suffers flooding during heavy rain.

The Echo met with residents Len Gridley and Roy Reeve in Oak Road, who pointed out waterlogged potholes and rubbish, including a dumped portable toilet.

Mr Reeve said: “The road was virtually impassable after the heavy rains. The problem is the ditches are so full of rubbish the water floods back on to the road, just compounding the problem.

“MP Mr Baron got involved, but still nothing has been done.”

Residents say the condition of the road has deteriorated since traffic levels increased when the travellers Dale Farm camp was expanded and believe County Hall does not want to spend out until they are evicted.

Even though Mr Baron branded it the worst road he had seen in his constituency covering Billericay, Wickford, Laindon and Pitsea, little has been done.

Mr Gridley now sends bills for repairs to his vehicle’s wheels directly to County Hall.

He said: “They said they would do some work to patch the surface in the meantime, but that hasn’t happened.

“They just keep avoiding the issue. Mr Baron met me last Friday and says he will look into it again.”

Norman Hume, councillor responsible for highways said: “We are aware of defects in Oak Road and the difficulties this presents for all residents and road users. We are assessing two types of work, small scale patching, and more extensive resurfacing. Funding is available.”