REPAIRS will finally take place to the central reservations in two busy roads in Colchester town centre...two years after issues were first reported.

The walls, in Balkerne Hill and Southway, are in a deteriorating condition after being knocked down by vehicles.

Colchester councillor Martin Goss, the authority’s former transport chief, said he had been repeatedly raising the issue for more than two years.

Essex Highways has now admitted the repairs are “safety critical” and will have planned them in the schedule works programme.

Works will need to be planned carefully as both roads are packed with traffic and any work could lead to severe congestion.

Mr Goss said: “For two years I’ve been highlighting the state of this wall which Essex Highways have ignored and done absolutely nothing - like the potholes on Colchester roads.

“I’m pleased after my chasing they’ve finally agreed to get the repairs undertaken in the year ahead.

“There’s something seriously wrong at Essex as basic repairs are either ignored or of a poor quality.”

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Lane closures will be needed while repairs to both central reservations take place.

Essex County Council will announce details of when the works will be carried out once they are planned and scheduled.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “While unsightly, the bricks missing from these central reservations were previously not safety critical and so they had not been given priority for repair.

“However, they have continued to deteriorate to the point that we are now planning the work necessary to repair them.

“Both of these routes are very busy and have a major effect on traffic throughout the town.

“Therefore, work needs to be planned carefully and will potentially be done at night if this is possible as lane closures will be required for equipment access and safety reasons.

“If this is the case, we will provide plenty of advance warning for road users so they can adapt their plans accordingly.”