CONTROVERSIAL roadworks have been rescheduled due to flooding.

Berechurch Hall Road in Colchester was due to be resurfaced on Thursday and Friday night.

Residents, in Lethe Grove and Friday Wood Green, which have a combined 287 homes, had been told they would not be able to access the estates by car.

Essex County Council has clarified the position but refused to guarantee access during the work to those in Friday Wood Green.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Due to the recent bad weather, revised dates for the surfacing works will be arranged soon and letters will be re-issued to residents.

“Residential traffic during these works will be able to access the road unless the work requires complete closure for operational or safety reasons for a short time.

“Our works will not affect Lethe Grove.

“These roads are being resurfaced to prolong the life of the road and to improve the road’s safety by increasing skid-resistance.”

Complaints were received with the original work coinciding with the EU referendum vote, which may have cut off some residents’ ability to vote.

The work will run for two nights from 7.30pm to 6am, between William Harris Way and Mersea Road, but no new dates have been agreed.

Residents were informed they would be better off parking elsewhere during the work and, when complaints were made about the vote one resident claimed he was told the work came first.

Dave Harris, county and borough councillor for Berechurch, has raised concerns with Essex County Council and hopes a compromise can be found to guarantee access before the work begins.