Halstead's disappearing roundabout will be fixed, council says

Residents in an Essex town have said a mini roundabout which has "essentially disappeared" is an accident waiting to happen.

The road markings on the junction of Kings Road and the A131 in Halstead have faded out.

"You're just worried that someone's going to hit you at that roundabout - you feel like a sitting duck," said Francesca Claydon, who lives nearby.

Essex Highways said a crew was due to repaint the markings on Tuesday.

Ms Claydon told the BBC the roundabout "had essentially disappeared" and had been reported to Essex Highways several times.

"We've had no response, only that an inspector would look at it in the next 30 days but it's been more than two months now," Ms Claydon said.

"It's about when the next accident happens, not if."

Malcolm Fincken, a councillor on Halstead Town Council and Labour Party member on Braintree District Council, said there were "countless near-misses" at the junction.

"I think it's very dangerous," Mr Fincken told the BBC, adding that the signs approaching the roundabout "could also be made more prominent".

"We've been campaigning for several months to try and get something done about it, and not had a lot of luck."

A spokesperson for Essex Highways - part of Conservative-run Essex County Council - said: "Our road markings crew is attending the site on 30 January where - weather permitting - works will begin on the markings at the roundabout."

Residents should report any issues through its website, the spokesperson added, and could raise concerns about road markings or signage "with their local county councillor, who can bring them to the attention of the local highways panel".

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