A FURIOUS resident has slammed a council after it opted for low cost resurfacing leaving a road in what he says is an “appaling” state.

Straight Road in Colchester has been sprayed with chippings as part of Essex County Council’s scheme of resurfacing works across the town.

Robert McManus has hit out after learning the council had decided not to resurface the road properly as it would have cost around £1million.

He was told by workmen surface dressing is just a tenth of the cost.

He said: “I have lived in Straight Road for 14 years and it is the worst I have ever seen the road.

“I spoke to some of the workmen and asked them if this was the final bit they were putting down.

“They said yes so I asked them why they don’t tarmac it – it is one of the busiest roads in Colchester and everyone uses it to cut through to Mersea.

“They said to do that would cost £1million and surface dressing is a tenth of the price.

“A tenth of the price would be £100,000, but if they have got to re-do it then that is another £100,000. If they tarmac it then it would last.”

Surface dressing is considered an extremely cost effective way of ensuring a road stays in a good condition.

Mr McManus said it had left pavements dangerous after they were strewn with chippings.

He said: “It is covering the paths and making them dangerous to walk on. When you get three or four cars behind each other there is a dust cloud.

“I think they should spend a bit more money on it.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said 20mph signs will be in place until the work is completed.

He said: “We are improving Straight Road using a process called surface dressing.

“A thin layer of bitumen binder is applied to the road surface and stone chippings are rolled into it to form a protective, water-resistant and anti-skid layer which makes the road less slippery and extends its life.

“When the bitumen has set, the road is swept to remove loose chippings, however, some will remain until it beds down.

“After one week, engineers will sweep any chippings and repaint road markings.”