RESIDENTS fear they are going to be “boxed in” due to roadworks taking place on most of the main roads around them.

Those living in Hawkwell and Hockley are fearful of roadworks planned simultaneously around the two areas.

These include gas works in Plumberow Avenue, Hockley, temporary traffic lights on Lower Road and the introduction of a one way system on Spa Road.

There will also be temporary traffic lights on Main Road, Hawkwell, from Monday for four weeks.

Resident Simon Harris, author of satire website Southend News Network, has set up a petition calling on Essex County Council to think more carefully about when and where roadworks take place.

Writing on the petition, Mr Harris said: “There genuinely seem to be people in authority who believe the whole area folds itself up into a paper bag and gets put away in a cupboard as soon as the schools break up, but the reality is that people still have to get to work, ambulances still need to reach the sick, and to be honest we all just like to feel that we are not imprisoned by restrictive traffic arrangements.

“We are already a gnat’s hair away from needing to airlift supplies to the residents of Bramerton Road because of the one way system that is now in place. We submit this petition in jest, but the subject matter is deadly serious.”

A spokesman from Essex Highways said: “It seems fairly logical that when essential gas works are required in an area with several schools nearby, they are best scheduled for the school holidays when peak-time traffic is much reduced. The petition unfortunately does not suggest any rationale for postponing the works until a school term-time.”