WORRIED residents in flats earmarked for demolition near Roots Hall are fed-up with living limbo.

On Friday, the Echo revealed a joint plan from Sainsbury’s and Southend United had finally been submitted to Southend Council for redeveloping the site.

It includes 270 new homes, a superstore, car park and petrol station. It should trigger the club’s move to a new stadium at Fossetts Farm.

As part of the proposal, St Mary’s Court, flats next to the stadium, are due to be knocked down and rebuilt elsewhere on the site.

John Clifford, 70, who has lived at St Mary’s Court for 15 years, said: “It has been going on for years and now we are just sitting and waiting.”

Mr Clifford, who has suitcases packed with some of his belongings in case he has to move quickly, said: “It is disturbing having all the speculation.

“We can’t decorate or anything. The worry is we could have to move at any time.”

Another St Mary’s Court resident, a 70-year-old woman, who would not be named, said: “I don’t like the continued uncertainty.

“I have lived here 30 years and the football stadium and fans have never been a problem, but a supermarket would generate traffic, from customers and deliveries, seven days a week.

“If we were relocated, I would actually prefer it.”

Other works proposed include introducing crossings in Fairfax Drive and widening roads around the stadium area to cope with traffic. Specific details have yet to emerge.

Meanwhile, some residents in Fairfax Drive are keen on the supermarket coming.

Alisa Berry, 28, whose house backs on to Roots Hall, said: “The football can be a pain, as the floodlights stop my sons from sleeping sometimes and the banging and shouting from fans can be a problem.

“If it happens, the worst thing for me would be Roots Hall market being lost and that would be a real shame. Having a supermarket so near though would be handy as I’m lactose intolerant and I could get the special milk there.”

Larraine Smart, 43, who lives in Fairfax Drive, added: “Having Sainsbury’s there would be convenient. I’m not sure how this road could be widened, but new crossings would be good for people who walk to the store.”