RESIDENTS in homes close to the Orsett Cock roundabout have spoken of their frustration after weeks of inconvenience because of closed footpaths – which they say put pedestrians at significant risk of being hit by vehicles.

The works in the area are part of the realignment of the A1013 junction with the roundabout as part of the A13 widening project. It has been more than five weeks since fencing and signage was put up, directing walkers close to the Voujon restaurant adjacent to the roundabout to cross the very busy road, stepping out between road cones with no precautionary signs for drivers.

Pedestrians are directed to cross the A1013 near to the fire station and then cross back very close to the access point for vehicles from the roundabout.

Local resident Maureen McPherson says residents are extremely concerned and there have already been a number of near misses, including one incident where an elderly lady had to run out of the path of a truck bearing down on her.

Mrs McPherson, of Grosvenor Road, says: "This has been going on for several weeks now and we have been asking Thurrock Council and Kier Construction to do something, but we have been ignored. That included asking for a temporary crossing with lights, but we got nowhere. Not even a response.

"This is not something the council can or should ignore, it's really a serious issue and it's lucky there hasn't been a casualty so far. One lady attempted to do what the council and Kier had told us to do; cross near the fire station and then cross back at the roundabout where they have put drop kerbs.

"As she did a lorry came off the roundabout, it wasn't going at an excessive speed, but the driver was beginning to accelerate, not expecting a crossing point. She had to run to escape being hit. It was very scary for her.

"I think because of the locality and the fact that our homes are off the A1013 they seem to think it's not a big issue and that people don't walk there, but they do.

"Lots of residents regularly walk into Orsett or they use the footpath there for a circuitous leisure walk, doubling back round the Bonner estate. And there is access to the bus stops via the pathways.

"It might have been acceptable to put up with this for a few days, but it is now more than five weeks and there seem little that the council or Kier are interested in doing to cut the danger."

Thurrock Council has declined to answer questions from Nub News, while a spokesperson from Kier told Nub News they have been instructed by the council, their client, not to issue statements about the works to the media.