Campaigning residents in Billericay have compiled a petition against controversial proposals to close a section of Norsey Road in an attempt to boost safety.

Highway chiefs at Basildon District Council and Essex County Council are considering carrying out a six to eight week traffic experiment to see the affect of the road closure on safety.

Under the proposals, the road would be closed from its junction with the High Street to Crown Road and traffic diverted through St Andrews Drive onto Stock Road.

The change is being considered along with other options such as making the section a one way street after a road accident damaged one of the 13th Century cottages.

Billericay Town Council chairman, Cllr Trevor Stansfield, said although he understands residents concerns the plans are still in its initial stages and it could be adandoned altogether.

Residents on the former St Andrews hospital site are up-in-arms at the proposal and say if the closure went ahead it would cause chaos in St Andrews Drive and Stock Road.

Mark Madle, 34, from Needham Close, has compiled a petition with more than 50 names against the road closure: "We have already got major traffic problems without having Norsey Road traffic forced down here as well.

"We have problems with cars speeding and any changes will increase this 10-fold. I have compiled a petition with around 50 names but I plan to gather some more support against the proposals."

The issue was discussed at a Billericay Town Council planning meeting yesterday.

Cllr Stansfield said before the meeting: "I can understand people's concerns, but it is not time to get concerned yet.

"At this moment in time, until the highway officers at the district and county councils come back to us, this is all theoretical."

Published Wednesday January 28, 2004

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