‘MYSTERY’ road closures left residents feeling as if they were on lockdown as they were forced to abandon their cars, it has been claimed.

Colchester Garrison played host to the Garrison Show, in Abbey Field, on Saturday.

During the show, nearby residents say they were unable to access their homes in their cars, and some even had to be escorted by soldiers.

Some residents claimed they knew nothing of the road closures.

One resident, of Garland Road, said: “I was greeted by road blocks from the Army, where they had me driving back and forth for over half an hour trying to access my home.

“In the end I was forced to walk there only then to be forced to allow them to search my personal possessions if I wished to cross the barrier and go to my home.

“As a local resident, I was provided no notice of these closures - nothing through the door, no phone calls.

“Having spoken with my neighbours, they also have had the same experience and were not made aware of these road closures.”

Another resident said they were told the Garrison had sent letters, telling neighbours they would not be allowed to use their vehicles.

But the resident added: “They never did, and we were told beforehand we wouldn’t have a problem.

“One woman with a newborn and toddler in her car had to be accompanied back to her home [by a soldier] with a gun on her.

“We had show visitors blocking the street and parking on our driveways too.

“We’ve demanded an apology.”

A Garrison spokesman said as a security measurement for this year’s show, a number of road closures and diversions were in place around Abbey Field.

The spokesman added: “Residents and visitors to a number of nearby roads were required to use alternative access routes with only one road, Richmond Road, being closed to traffic.

“We were conscious of the inconvenience that would occur to a small number, but the safety and security for the 15,000 visitors remained our priority and we are pleased to report that the show passed off without incident.”

  • See tomorrow’s Gazette for a four-page picture special from the Colchester Garrison Show.