A Colchester mum claims she was left with no choice but to "drive over a pedestrianised area" after traffic problems across Colchester made her home inaccessible.

Karen Jones, 45, of Rawstorn Road, was driving home from a school open evening for her daughter when she hit wall to wall traffic.

Karen Jones was on her way home from a college event with her daughterKaren Jones was on her way home from a college event with her daughter (Image: Karen Jones)

Mrs Jones, who had been leaving Colchester Institute, said: “I found the exit from the roundabout blocked at the bottom of Balkerne Hill.

“I hadn’t recalled seeing any signs of warning about any road closures.

“Turning onto Lexden road, we were met with a traffic queue towards the city centre and were unable to access the roundabout near the police station.”

Feeling all out of options, Mrs Jones asked a road worker for directions to avoid the chaos. 

“He advised that we cross over the pedestrianised area opposite the Tesco Express,” Mrs Jones said.

“Usually this would be an illegal move, but we had no other way of accessing our home."

Mrs Jones has called for better planning for roadworks across the city. 

In recent weeks drivers have faced numerous delays as works continue on the new bus lanes at Northern Approach Road and Clingoe Hill. 

Residents also claimed temporary traffic lights on Mill Road were "out of sync" causing drivers and patients to be trapped in Colchester Hospital's car park for hours. 

It led to the hospital trust warning patients of "potential delays" and advising them to plan more time for their journeys. 

Mrs Jones said: “It would’ve been helpful if prior notice is given to residents, so that we can plan our journeys better.

“It seems that these road closures do not take into consideration other events happening in the area.”

Essex County Council said there were no reported road closures in the Lexden Road area on the day Mrs Jones was stuck (October 4).