Clingoe Hill concerns over lack of recovery number signs

The calls come after motorist Fleur Forsyth, found herself stranded and waiting for recovery in the roadworks on Clingoe Hill. 

Ms Forsyth called her breakdown company for help but claims she was told she should have free recovery in the roadworks. 

She was not aware you needed to call for the free assistance and waited three hours before being helped by police. 

Works - the works on Clingoe Hill have already caused a few issues (Image: Credited) When the Gazette went to check the stretch of Clingoe Hill from Greenstead Roundabout to the Colchester Road junction it found just one sign each side of the road with the phone number. 

There are multiple repeater signs telling drivers to await free recovery. 

Essex County Council says the signs meet guidelines. 

Sign - one sign which doesn't display a number close by (Image: Credited) Greenstead ward councillor, Tim Young said: “It isn’t good enough, I don’t get why they don’t put the number on all the free recovery signs.

“It’s a road I use a lot, back and forth to go and visit my dad who lives in Clacton and to be honest, I haven’t even noticed the free recovery number.

Unaware - councillor Tim Young said he hadn't noticed any recovery numbers on the hill (Image: Credited) “Of course, I see the free recovery awaits signs but not the number.

“People just don’t know what to do, the council need to put more stuff in the media and be more prominent – perhaps something pinned to their website.

“They should take action as soon as possible.”

Another - a free recovery sign which also has no number within sight (Image: Credited) Ms Forsyth added: “It would help if all the signs displayed the number on them.

“I would also help if more people were aware of the number, I did post it on a local Facebook group for people to see.

Number - the recovery number is displayed on a smaller sign and is only present on the exit of the works (Image: Credited) “They said that I called at 6pm but I’d broken down at around 5pm, so I was waiting for an hour at least.”

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: "Free vehicle recoveries do not replace breakdown services.

"They are meant to aid drivers to safety if they get stuck in work areas. Road users should call their breakdown providers once they are in a safe area.

"Signage with the free recovery number is therefore only displayed where traffic management measures are in place, such as lane closures. Currently, there are four of these signs for the work areas around Clingoe Hill.

"We also monitor traffic build-up in case vehicles get stuck during busy periods and impact traffic flow."