QUESTIONS have been raised over “misguided” roadworks which have caused chaos for residents.

David Harrison, chairman of Basildon Council’s neighbourhoods and public spaces committee, has now written to David Finch, leader of Essex County Council, over concerns about the roadworks at the Co-Op roundabout in Wickford.

The works began on July 22.

County Hall state the construction is to realign the roads to and from the roundabout to improve traffic flow in the area.

But Mr Harrison, who jointly wrote to County Hall with Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan, believes residents and councillors should have been consulted first.

They said: “There appears to be a lack of communication with both ourselves as the council and the residents as to the purpose of the works, which appear to be more fundamentally changing the road layout.

“If indeed it is the case that the road layout is changing more significantly, I ask why we were not consulted about these changes or given any opportunity to comment on them.

“The works appear to be misguided – narrowing lanes which will cause considerable congestion and backlog through Wickford.”

The letter has asked for the reason and logic behind the work, the impact assessment on traffic, what County Hall did to inform residents of disruption, and how traffic will improve as a result.

It added: “We have to question the logic of this latest round of roadworks as Wickford residents appear to be getting yet another raw deal.”

George Jeffrey, councillor for Wickford Park ward, also said he was surprised residents had not been told about the works beforehand.

He said: “I share their concerns, but I think it’s important not to make a judgement on the effectiveness of the road works until after they have been completed.

“Normally, we would expect to be given advanced warning that these roadworks are going to happen, but unfortunately in this case we were not advised about it.” They are due to end this week.