WORRIED residents have hit out at "chaotic" plans to close a Colchester road for nearly a month. 

St Johns Close, and its junction from St John's Road, is set to be closed for 26 days while engineers work to "reconstruct the junction." 

With no other access for residents living in the road and dozens of homes off of Evergreen Drive, Essex County Council has confirmed bollards blocking access to Ipswich Road will be removed. 

Multi-way traffic lights will be placed on Ipswich Road to help manage traffic. 

But residents and councillors have expressed concern at the plans for the road, which provides access to St John's C of E Primary School and St John's Church. 

Works are due to start in the middle of August and last into the start of the new school term. 

Rachel Barrett, a resident of St John’s Close, said: “These works are a long time coming.”

“My daughter can walk to school, but we haven’t had enough information about if they’re shutting the footpaths. Hopefully the bus will still run."

Deep- A pothole on Clay Lane Grove, St Johns Close, on the approach to St John's Primary School. Questions- Residents wonder why the plans for the road repairs do not extend to repair the entirety of the road. (Image: Claudia Bradley)

David Williams, another resident, welcomed news the bollards would be removed for access. 

He added: “If they leave a locked barrier there for the future, any emergency services that need to get into this neighbourhood can use that access.

“There are about 200 houses here with only one access point. So, if they do it right, it will be nice.

“If they do it wrong, it’ll be horrendous.”

Bollards- It seems the bollards will be removed and replaced with traffic lights to allow access into the street during road works. Bollards- ECC said the bollards will be removed on August 12 to create access onto Ipswich Road. (Image: Claudia Bradley)

Samantha Cotton lives in the street and runs her beauty business, Beau Belle Beauty, from her home.

She said: “I think if they opened it up, it would just become chaotic.

“How is it going to work for me as a business? Are my clients going to be able to get here safely?

“We don’t understand how it’s logically going to work.”

Narrow- The entrance to St John's Close will be reconstructed by ECC. Narrow- The entrance to St John's Close will be reconstructed by ECC. (Image: Claudia Bradley)

St Anne’s and St John’s councillor Paul Smith said he and his fellow councillors had been calling for clarification. 

He said: “I’ve had three emails from residents asking questions and expressing concerns, quite justifiably.

Concerned - Paul Smith has asked for answersConcerned - Paul Smith has asked for answers (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m not convinced the aim of the work is just resurfacing. We’ve asked the ECC to clarify and we’re not hearing anything.

“As ward councillors, we’re very concerned about it."

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: "Vital works are taking place on St Johns Close to reconstruct the junction with St Johns Road.

"This includes resurfacing St Johns Close to address other defects on the road and extend its lifespan in the process. 

"Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, with the bollards at the north end of the road due to be removed on August 12 to create access onto Ipswich Road.

“We appreciate residents’ patience as we work to ensure the road and junction are properly maintained for road users.”