An investigation was being launched today to find out why a new roundabout has been left with a hole in the middle.

The move comes after police revealed that one car had already crashed into the hole along the new A130 highway.

Down and out - a crashed car in the hole at the new roundabout Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Police confirmed that a black Mazda, travelling south along the new road between the A127 Southend Arterial Road and Sadlers Farm at Benfleet had crashed into the hole.

One motorist, who lives in Benfleet but asked not to be named, contacted the Evening Echo about the roundabout, which he described as "an accident waiting to happen".

He said: "It is very difficult when you are driving past the roundabout to notice the hole, or whatever is in it."

The roundabout was built by Essex County Council as part of the new multi-million-pound A130 bypass linking south Essex to the north of the county.

PC Darren Beer, of the Rayleigh road policing unit, said the roundabout was clearly marked. He said it appeared the Mazda had not stopped as it approached the roundabout and had hit the mounds of earth surrounding the outskirts before landing in the hole.

The officer said the occupants of the car had left the scene before police arrived after the accident, which happened at 5.45am on Sunday.

Rodney Bass, Essex County Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "The council will be investigating this matter."

Published Thursday, April 24, 2003