DRIVERS are experiencing near misses after getting confused by old road markings.

Essex Highways and Eurovia are carrying out works at the Ipswich Road and Harwich Road roundabouts in Colchester - turning each junction from two mini roundabouts to one at each location.

Traffic management is in place to show drivers how to navigate through, however road markings still relate to the old road system.

Mark Cole, driving instructor and chairman of the Colchester and District Driving Instructors Association, said there has been a few near misses.

He wrote to councillors, including Kevin Bentley, county councillor responsible for infrastructure.

He said: “I have had a few former students say they have had near misses, particularly at the Harwich Road roundabout, as the lines on the road are still relating to the old system.

“There are people from out of town who don’t drive through Colchester every day as well, they look at the markings and they are totally confused.

“We could suggest just getting a pot of black paint and painting the lines black. I appreciate they may not be at the stage to paint the new lines yet.”

A spokesman for Essex Highways said the lane markings had been checked twice.

She said: “Our Streetworks Inspectors are regularly onsite checking the safety of the works and road layout.

“We believe the lane markings are correct, if drivers stick to them and do not attempt to get ahead by cutting in and across the correct lanes.

“Ipswich Road is down to one lane, with Cowdray Avenue restricted to one and a half lanes to give scope for emergency vehicles. The only other difference from the former situation is there is now just one single roundabout.

“Traffic management layout does change with requirements of the utilities contractors to dig in particular areas.”