A COUNCILLOR has hit out at the latest stage of a much-maligned roadworks scheme calling it "one shambles after another".

Lee Scordis (Lab) has lambasted Essex Highways over its handling of the works to Ipswich Road and Harwich Road in Colchester.

The latest issue in what Mr Scordis has called a long line of problems with the £10 million scheme is the closing of a pathway on Ipswich Road which allows pedestrians and cyclists to reach the nearby Waitrose store.

He said: "It is just one shambles after another.

"Using this route to get home there were no diversion signs and no warning that once you pass Waitrose the footway is closed and you would have to turn back on yourself and cross over.

"The amount of pedestrians or cyclists coming from Cowdray Avenue to go up Ipswich Road have to take a ridiculous detour, which once again shows the lack of will for Essex Highways to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists - the two cleanest forms of commuting.

"I have written to the lead engineer and portfolio holder to ask that this be rectified immediately and the correct signage be put in place."

Mr Scordis, who represents Abbey Division on Essex County Council, has been a long term critic of the long-running scheme, which is set to be finished until the end of next year.

He said: "My position has not changed. This project will only have a short-term effect on reducing congestion.

"All evidence shows that widening roads inevitably leads to more cars on the street, which does not tackle how we reduce congestion."

He added the money would have been better spent on cleaner modes of transport such as improving cycling infrastructure and public transport.

A spokesperson for Essex Highways apologised to pedestrians for causing "uncertainty or inconvenience".

He said: "We are having to close and divert pedestrian crossings as the works progress to different areas.

"However, there are appropriate pedestrian diversions available, even if sometimes that means walking a few more yards.

"We have increased the signs on site and added further site maps to advise people walking or pushing cycles across the very busy roads involved.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and we can tweak the cones and signs very quickly if people are experiencing problems crossing the road safely.”

READ MORE: Harwich Road to close for extra two weeks due to water leak

Contractor Eurovia kicked off work to widen St Andrew's Avenue between the Ipswich Road roundabout and the Harwich Road roundabout to create two lanes in each direction this week.

However delays were also announced to the reopening of Harwich Road due to gas works and a water leak.

The road will be closed for a further week following the delays.

READ MORE: Works to start on widening St Andrews Avenue this week