Having spoken to the contractor and Essex County Council highway officers both are endeavouring to move the Ipswich Road roundabout project forward.

However, on the doorsteps, the roundabouts are the number one conversation of those residents I represent (even above Brexit) who are feeling the effects of road closures and increased traffic across St Anne’s and St John’s.

With numerous problems locating exactly where utilities are and now water leaks, residents are asking were the pre-contractor’s investigations and project planning by Essex County Council robust and thorough enough?

This was a concern expressed by my colleagues and I at the consultation stage, our residents are making their own assumptions as to that answer, or has it been just bad luck?

With many more months of disruptions to completion I sincerely hope for the sake of my residents this Conservative-controlled Essex County Council project does fulfil its aims, should it not, then my residents will be calling for and expect some resignations from those responsible for both the project and its budget.

Councillor Helen Chuah 
St Anne’s and St John’s wards 

  • Helen Chuah is standing for re-election in St Anne’s and St John’s. The other candidates are Megan Maltby (Green), HK Norman (Lab) and Thomas Rowe (Con).