A QUICK fix is needed to fill a dangerous pothole after at least three people fell down it.

Wivenhoe councillor Rosalind Scott (Lab) was one of those who tripped down the hole in East Street, Wivenhoe.

Since then another elderly man fell down the hole, followed by a woman who tripped and broke her glasses.

Essex Highways told councillors it is scheduled to be fixed, but the road would have to be closed and it would take time to process.

Rosalind Scott said: "The pothole is not easy to see in the dark, and it is very deep.

"Another elderly resident also fell and he was badly hurt."

Councillor Julie Young (Lab) contacted Essex County Council again to see what could be done.

In a response to her, they said: "I am sorry to read of the incident that occurred here and hope the resident is recovering well.

"I can confirm Essex Highways are aware of a defect at this location and a job will be raised to patch the carriageway.

"These works will require a road closure which can take eight to 12 weeks to process, on this basis I am regrettably unable to confirm a timescale for completion."

Mrs Young said she was determined to find a solution.

She said: "The council said it was being scheduled for repair but because they need to close the road it will take weeks to process as they have to issue a statutory notice.

"The only way to do it would be to get a temporary fix, which they do if they deem it dangerous.

"A lot of people are dissatisfied with this but of course it removes the bigger danger."

Both she and Rosalind Scott contacted the council again to see if a temporary cover could be used.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Engineers will fix this pothole in the next few days as a make-safe temporary repair. The permanent full repair will take longer as we must close the road to enable us to safely carry out the larger excavation and fill.”