A NEW road surface has been described as “absolutely deadly” amid fears it is creating huge dust clouds.

The A134 at Great Horkesley has been covered in stone chippings as part of resurfacing by Essex Highways.

But desperate residents have hit out at the works which they claim have made the busy road like a “country lane”.

Essex Highways has now been forced to apologise after it was found the resurfacing had failed and would need to be attempted again.

Resident Johnny Eggleton, 61, said notices first went up three months ago, but work only started on Thursday.

He said: “The road was closed at different parts but it was a complete mess and there were no diversion signs up. It is unbelievable.

“The chips are flying everywhere, there are huge clouds of grey dust and the noise has been horrendous. We have gone from a smooth road surface to this.”

Gazette:

Mr Eggleton said the council had told residents sweeping had already been completed and the work was now finished.

But he said: “It is just absolutely ridiculous. It should have been done with a machine - the A134 runs from Sudbury. It is now like a country road. It is a bodge.”

Mr Eggleton, who has lived in the village for 30 years, said the chippings were also covering pavements which he had cleared.

“It feel like we are banging our heads against the wall,” he said.

“All these loose chips are flying everywhere - it is absolutely deadly.”

Gazette:

An Essex Highways spokesman apologised and said the problem has been caused by issues with materials.

He added: “The stones we used did not bed into the binder layer. We have swept much of the excess loose stone from the road and will return to sweep off all the excess.

“We will re-dress the road when we know what caused this problem, entirely at the contractor’s cost.

“Drivers and riders should use common sense and drive cautiously, certainly below the 20mph limit advertised on the signs on site.”

There were also concerns about poor visibility in Lexden Road, Colchester, following Essex Highways laying surface dressing last week. In response, a County Hall spokesman said the treatment was effective and financially efficient but drivers needed to stick to the rules.