FENCING costing £5,000 has been installed after motorists drove on to a verge and damaged trees so they could get on to the A12.

A bus gate at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, in United Way, Colchester, stops drivers getting on to a slip road to the Cuckoo Farm junction via Boxted Road.

The junction should only be accessed via Axial Way. But motorists, misdirected by satnavs, drove on a verge to bypass the gate. Colchester Council has installed a fence to prevent it happening again. Mile End councillor Martin Goss said the trees had been planted by volunteers and criticised the rogue drivers.

Mr Goss said: “This investment is a small, but positive step, to help curtail the reckless behaviour of a few mindless and ignorant individuals who think they are above the law.”