A NEW £1million road providing a short cut to a prestige housing development in Shoebury has opened – amid concerns over safety.

The 450-home Garrison Development is now easier to get to, with the opening of Barge Pier Road.

Work on the road started in August 2007 and has been completed on time and within budget.

But it runs through Gunners Park, linking Ness Road and Campfield Road and some residents are worried park users will be at risk from cars.

They say developer Gladedale Homes should have included safety measures, such as warning signs and crossings for park users.

Verina Weaver, former Tory Southend councillor, now chairman of the Garrison Residents’ Association, said: “Safety features are woefully lacking.

“The road dissects the park, which is used by dog walkers, children playing and cyclists, yet there is not a single sign to tell motorists to watch out for these people.

“There are no crossings and nothing to tell park users 30mph traffic will be whizzing past. They have done a lovely job on the road, but it is quite wide and we are worried it is going to attract boy racers.”

The Garrison is a mix of new homes and offices and renovated military buildings.

The road was opened yesterday by Southend mayor Gwen Horrigan.

She joined Gladedale’s sales and marketing director Elaine Dufaur, and technical director Ian Curry to do the honours on the road.

A new cycle path is also being created as part of the scheme.

When finished, it will link up with the existing seafront cycle track, allowing cyclists to ride from Shoebury East Beach through the Garrison and the park and on to Southend.

The former Garrison Chapel – most recently used used as Gladedale’s sales office – is to be put on the market shortly, but will have to be put to some kind of community use, under the terms of agreement with Southend Council.

Mrs Dufaur said: “The unveiling of Barge Pier Road, combined with the relocation of our sales office represents another major milestone in the development of the Garrison.

“The road will provide residents with direct access and shorter journey times into the centre of Southend.”

Anna Waite, councillor responsible for transport and planning, also welcomed the new road. She said: “It marks another key stage in helping to boost Shoebury.”

Asked about safety concerns, Gladedale said the road was now Southend Council’s responsibility.

Asked about the issue, Mrs Waite said: “I wasn’t there for the official opening, but we will be going down there to have a look and if anything needs to be done it will be done, depending on how urgent it is.

“We want the road to be safe, but there are other calls on council finances, such as roads that have a history of accidents.”