RESIDENTS have hit out after repairs to a crumbling a main road in Colchester were delayed for a FOURTH time.

Military Road, in New Town, which is a main route for buses travelling to the town centre, first had repairs scheduled to take place on May 4.

However, this date was then revised to one in June, before once again being changed to August.

They have now been postponed until October.

Lee Scordis, Essex County Council member for Abbey, said residents had understandably had enough of waiting for the works to take place.

He said the repairs should have taken place last year while traffic levels were lower during lockdown.

He said: “This is just beyond ridiculous now.

“On May 4 they didn’t turn up because it was windy.

“We now finally have positive weather and Essex Highways delays again.

“Military Road is a priority route and according to Essex Highways’ own policy, a priority route such as this takes precedence.

“As it stands, the road is not safe for cyclists or cars. This is unacceptable.”

Essex Highways said last week it could not avoid delays to resurfacing works, but promised Military Road works would be completed before the autumn.

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A spokesman said: “All road surfacing programming is complicated by other road works of all kinds required in the area, by alterations in the programme elsewhere and by weather and specialist machinery and crew availability.

“So dates are often revised, and flexibility is key to delivering an efficient overall amount of work.

“Military Road is an important route and is a priority concern for our surfacing managers.

“The road will be surfaced before the autumn and we hope to bring it forward as other local works allow.

“All road closures for surfacing have to be permitted which mitigates against traffic problems would be caused if several roads are shut in the same area at the same time.”

Mr Scordis received an email advising the works had been delayed to October on Friday.