CAMPAIGNERS against a road-widening scheme at Cuckoo Corner in Southend say the land they are camped on is now their home – complete with their own postcode.

Protesters set up what they are now calling Camp Cuckoo in Priory Crescent on Sunday after saying Southend Council had broken a promise not to widen the road. But the council, which is planning to put in an extra westbound lane running from the Prittlebrook Industrial Estate, denies ever making such a promise.

Up to 17 members of Saxon King In Priory Park (Skipp) and Parklife are camping out on land by the roundabout, which the council is planning to clear to widen the road and have called for more people to join them.

They have posted notices quoting the 1977 Criminal Law Act which they say gives them justification to remain there.

The notices, commonly used by squatters, also state the police and council cannot boot them off without getting prior legal permission and say anyone who tries could be fined £5,000.

Skipp spokesman Andrew Biffington said: “This is now our home, and any attempt to enter the property or evict us, without following the due legal process, would be illegal.

“Our solicitor is on standby to deal with any attempt by the council or police to circumvent the correct legal procedure.”

Mr Biffington added the camp now has an official address complete with a postcode: Camp Cuckoo, 1 The Cedar Tree, Priory Crescent, Prittlewell, Essex SS2 6PR.

Protesters believe the council will start preliminary work clearing the land and removing trees on Sunday, though the council has not confirmed this.

John Lamb, Southend’s councillor for regeneration, said the protesters did not own the land and had no legal right to be there.

He added the council might have to give up £5-6m to the Government, which has paid for the project, if it cannot go ahead.

He said: “We are and will be working with the police and taking appropriate legal action. There is no way they’re go to stop the development going ahead.

“What they’re causing is a lot of disruption and we won’t tolerate that. They could also explain to the people of Southend why, if we don’t complete the project on time, the money will go back to the Government.

“We will lose £5-6m for the scheme and we won’t allow that to happen.”

Mr Lamb said he was not aware when exactly the work would begin. We will do the work when we are ready,” he added.

l UP to 30 protesters against the scheme disrupted a full council meeting last night, as questions were asked by Judith McMahon (Labour, Kursaal) about how many trees were to be cut down.

There was heckling as cabinet member for planning Anna Waite tried to respond and shouts of “no confidence in Southend Council”.

Campaigners in the public gallery unveiled a banner calling for council leader Nigel Holdcroft and Mrs Waite to resign. It read: “'Holdcroft and Anna Waite out.”

They also threw down leaflets publicising their fight.

Councillors left the meeting and the campaigners were escorted from the room and police were called. The meeting was halted for around 20 minutes.