DRIVERS in Wivenhoe are facing a High Street closure, temporary traffic lights and a weight restriction – all so the county council can fill in six potholes in a side road.

The news has angered borough councillor Stephen Ford, who represents Wivenhoe Quay ward and thinks the measures are over the top.

The Labour councillor and Wivenhoe resident reported the six potholes in Clifton Terrace to Essex County Council about six weeks ago.

He said he was stunned when highways officials told him what getting the holes filled in would entail.

They said the High Street would have to be closed, temporary traffic lights put up and a weight restriction imposed while the work was done.

Mr Ford thinks the measures are excessive and fears they will cause havoc in the lower end of Wivenhoe, blocking access into a popular car park and a well-used short-cut to Wivenhoe station.

He said: “They normally deal with any potholes I report fairly quickly, but I have been told this will take longer because to repair them, they need to carry out a long list of things, including getting a road closure authorised.

“Given the financial climate we are in at the moment, where there are going to have to be cutbacks, it does seem like using a 14-pound hammer to crack a nut.”

Mr Ford added: “It seems ridiculous they have to go through this long bureaucratic rigmarole, which will obviously involve lots of paperwork, not to mention the disruption it will all cause to people living in and around the area.”

Michael Page, an Essex County Council spokesman, said the work was likely to be carried out some time in the next two months. He added: “Because of the deterioration of the road surface on Clifton Terrace we are carrying out a substantial repair programme.

“For works of this kind, a road closure is required so the work can be completed safely and as quickly as possible.

“We are liaising with Colchester Council to ensure access to the car park is maintained while work is carried out. We will be advertising the closure locally to ensure local residents and businesses are aware.”