A RESIDENTIAL road has become an "accident waiting to happen", campaigners have warned.

Residents and councillors have called for action in Roosevelt Way, in Old Heath, Colchester, after a series of near misses caused by faded 'give way' lines.

Lee Scordis, Colchester councillor for Old Heath and the Hythe said the issue had been reported to highways authority Essex County Council more than a year ago.

The Labour councillor added: "For anyone who does not know the estate it would be quite easy to not see the faded white lines and end up causing a serious accident.

"The area is also used as a main test route for learner drivers and is a bus route.

"I would have thought it would be a no-brainer but Essex County Council continue to ignore a task that wouldn’t even cost a lot of money and could potentially save lives."

He added: "On the Essex County Council website is states: ‘Essex County Council has a statutory duty to maintain the public highway to a reasonably safe standard,' well I would challenge them on this and say this example is a clear failure on their part."

Adrian Stephens, who lives in Barn Hall Avenue, which connects to Roosevelt Way, said: "I am really concerned about this junction.

"My house is on the corner of this junction and I have asked for a bollard to protect my house if there is an accident as it is quite a sharp bend but Essex Highways has told me there is no money."

Mr Stephens added last month an there was an accident at the junction, which caused one car to flip onto the green area outside his home.

He added: "Highways still didn’t seem to show any concern but my real fear is that next time it a car could go through my house.

"I then asked for Give-way signs as well as the lines repainted but I have heard nothing since.

"At the same time the estate suffers from ‘boy-racers’ who regularly speed on some nights."

An Essex Highways spokesman said: "The Roosevelt Way/Barn Hall Avenue junction is on our white-lining programme for Colchester, which is to go ahead over the next 28 days.

"Weather permitting, we hope to get these lines repainted within this time."