Potholes given a fresh look after diary blunder

Two large potholes were given a new look after a diary error meant workers painted over the road defects ahead of them being filled in.

The blunder took place near Wakes Colne on the A1124, which runs between Halstead and Colchester.

Essex Highways admitted its contractor prematurely painted the road before a resurfacing scheme was due to take place.

James Joyce, who uses the route for work, says it has been an "astonishing waste of money".

"I couldn't think of a suitable superlative for how shockingly dreadful it was," said the 58-year-old.

"It just amazes me that they've done that, only for it to be pulled up again and redone."

The A1124, which mostly runs through countryside, was once a main trunk road that served Colchester.

Mr Joyce, from White Colne, claimed it had been in "managed decline" in recent years and become littered with potholes.

"I'd prefer to have kept the faint white paint and have the road filled in instead," he added.

The East of England was due to receive an extra £72m for pothole and pavement repairs in 2025, the government announced in December.

Only 36% of local roads in the region are in good structural condition, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said it was reviewing how the error in Wakes Colne occurred.

"We understand how this looks and why it has been pointed out, but there is a simple explanation - the lining works in this location progressed ahead of our planned patching works," he said.

"The road defect is still scheduled for repair, and the markings will be refreshed afterwards.

"We are reviewing how the scheduling was handled with our contractor to hopefully avoid similar issues in the future."

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.