RESIDENTS are calling for a new roundabout for lorries which are causing damage to their homes.

People living in North Lane, Marks Tey, have been struggling for the past year to direct lorries out of their road.

A damaged bridge further down the road is the cause of the problem.

There a weight restriction has been put in place, preventing lorries from travelling any further.

But by the time the lorries reach the bridge, they are unable to turn around.

Now residents are calling for changes to be made in the road layout.

Bob Covey, 70, who has lived in the road for 27 years, said: “We have a little bridge which has been damaged a couple of times and a weight limitation of ten tonnes was enforced in the past year.

“The county council has put up signs warning people but a lot of lorry drivers cannot read them, so they come into the lane and cannot get out.”

Concrete posts were also installed some time ago to prevent lorries from turning around further down the lane.

The bollards had been successful but the vehicles have started reversing back down the lane and are now getting stuck.

Mr Covey added: “They need somewhere to turn around to get out without damaging people’s property.

“I contacted the council but they came back to me saying no action was being taken.

“One lorry took out the whole hedge outside someone’s property while trying to reverse out of a private lane.”

The warning signs start at Station Road and there are two or three more signs before the lorries reach the damaged bridge.

However, the residents claim some drivers cannot understand them.

Mr Covey said the drivers had even tried turning around in the station.

He said: “I have to walk back down the lane with them and guide them out.

“When they back up they don’t do it in a straight line so something else is going to get damaged or someone is going to get hurt.

“There are quite a few other neighbours who are concerned.”

Essex County Council spokesman said: “The best approach residents can take on this issue is to contact their county councillor and ask them to raise the matter at the Local Highway Panel, which in this case would be Colchester.

“The panel can then ask for the problem to be investigated further and decide on any appropriate action.”