WORK is finally set to start on a treacherous and run-down road - after a 40 year battle.

Essex highways has scheduled resurfacing work for Pattricks Lane in Dovercourt to begin on Monday February 1.

Problems with the unadopted road have rumbled on since the 1970s.

Harwich town councillors Ivan Henderson and Dave Mcleod are delighted with the action.

“I’ve been continually bashing away at this for I don’t know how long now,” said Mr Henderson.

“Work was set to start a couple of years ago but there were drainage issues they had to sort out with Anglian Water.

“It’s good news for people who live around that area as it was a hazard – it’s taken a long time and a real push to get this sorted.”

Dave Mcleod said: “That road is like the surface of the moon only worse – it’s awful.

“When it’s completed we’ll have a street party it’s such fantastic news.

“It was a nightmare for even walking down and if there was an emergency vehicle trying to get down there it could have real trouble.”

In June 2013, Essex County Council agreed to spend more than £106,000 on the road - even though it is not their responsibility - under a Section 106 planning agreement.

It was hoped Tendring Local Highways Panel would agree extra money to fund the work, with Mr Henderson saying more was needed to do the job properly.

But the panel ruled out any more cash, saying it was unfair on nearby residents who had paid for similar work themselves.

An Essex Highways spokesperson said work on Pattricks Lane was then originally scheduled for January 2015.

But a survey revealed previously unknown utilities, very shallow underground electricity, telephone and water services.

The scheme was postponed because redesigning was needed to allow engineers to work around these underground services.