FAMILIES who had part of their land bought by compulsory purchase orders to make way for the A130 are still waiting for thousands of pounds of compensation.

The A130 dual carriageway, between the A127 and Chelmsford, was built in 2004 to relieve the old road,which is now the A1245.

The new route went through farmland owned by Peter Philpot, so Essex County Council bought part of his land in October 2001. But nine years on, the 91-year-old is still owed £30,000. Mr Philpot, of Ridgeway, Rayleigh, says he is exasperated with the council’s lawyers. He said: “Compensation was agreed in 2005, and 90 per cent of it was paid in 2006, but we have been told by council lawyers a hold has been put on the remainder. I have written to all and sundry, but I’m still waiting for my money.

“My solicitors are fed up to the back teeth with it. The council’s solicitors are very slack.

“I sold the farm in 2003 to my nephew, who has since successfully applied to the council to buy back small bits of land.

“The council’s solicitors have complicated the issue by linking this to the compensation payout, but it is nothing to do with it.”

Fortunately for Mr Philpot, the council is responsible for any legal fees which accrue during the compensation process, but the delay has cost council taxpayers money.

Mr Philpot added: “I am not the only person waiting for the full compensation. The council says it is complicated, but in fact it is quite straightforward. They still owe us ten per cent of our compensation.”

Essex County Council spokesman Michael Page said: “We are currently working to resolve some outstanding issues regarding the payment of compensation for A130 land transfers, and we hope to move forward with this as soon as possible.”