RESIDENTS are concerned for their safety as drivers are using a footpath and cycle way as a "main road".

A bollard separating a footpath and cycle way along St Andrews Avenue in Colchester was knocked down and removed about a year ago.

It was reported to Essex County Council, which said it did not require repairs.

However since then drivers have been using the footpath to drive along, turn around on and pick up passengers on.

Residents, like Mariam White who lives close to the footpath, are worried someone will get hurt.

Mrs White said she has seen near misses and drivers collide with walls.

She added: "I have called the police as it is illegal to drive on the footpath, but they just told me to contact the council again.

"When will it be fixed in the future? Once someone is killed?

"It's a cul-de-sac but it's turning into a main road. We run alongside a bypass, we are not the bypass."

She and her husband even offered to put some bricks along the entrance to the footpath to prevent cars using it, but she said they were told there would be court action against them if they did so.

Mrs White said: "With no bollard there cars are just going to keep using it, it's scary."

She wants the bollard to be re-installed as soon as possible.

An Essex Highways spokesman  said: "We will reinstate the concrete bollard as soon as we are able."