A ROAD has become so covered in ruts its elderly residents are too scared to go out.

Frequent calls for improvements to Princel Lane, in Dedham, have been made by the parish council.

But highways boss Essex County Council says resurfacing the road is not at the top of its priorities.

Concerned resident Daphne Langton, 90, said: “Most of us down this lane are nearer 90 than 80.

“It is really poorly patched up and it has got a lot of pot holes appearing now, and we don’t have any lights down here. People are reluctant to go out, especially at night.”

Neighbour Peggy Bullett, 85, said she was left badly bruised after she fell over in the road and urged the authority to take notice.

“I was coming back down the lane and I just caught my foot where it was uneven and went down. I was bruised quite a bit. Another pensioner across the road had a fall as well.

“We are nearly all old people down this lane and it was years ago since it was done properly.”

Parish councillor Steve White said: “We have been trying to get it resurfaced for about three years, to no avail.

“There is no street lighting and no pavement.

“The road is only about 100 yards long, but I have personally counted more than 70 patch repairs to its surface.

“There are deep ruts and holes. It was scheduled for resurfacing about two years ago. The county council had put letters through residents’ letter boxes to say the road would be closed. However, it snowed that day and it never happened.

“They tell me it is on their list and it is a low priority, and that’s all we get.”

Tracey Chapman, Essex County councillor with responsibility for highways said: “Essex County Council is aware there have been concerns over potholes.

“Engineers have visited the site previously and will carry out another site assessment now the issue has been raised again.

“However, they will only be considered for repair if they are of sufficient depth to warrant immediate attention. “All authorities are experiencing reductions of 8 per cent a year in grant funding from the Government and must prioritise repairs.”