A trouble-hit public inquiry has been dogged by further problems.

The inquiry into the proposed A130 bypass has been plagued by difficulties since it began on Tuesday last week.

Protesters were due to campaign against the controversial bypass when the discussions opened.

But the eco-friendly group never made it on time - because they got stuck in heavy traffic.

And on Friday a key objector could not make it to the former Park School in Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh, where the inquiry was being held, as she was in a car accident.

Diedre Graham was not injured in the incident, but her friend Fred Matthews, of the Ramblers' Association, said she was severely shaken.

Mrs Graham was due to speak on behalf of the Bridleways' Association and Mr Matthews had to step in at the last minute and speak on her behalf.

Proceedings were again held up when the old school had to be evacuated after a fire alarm went off later in the morning. The warning turned out to be a false alarm.

Mr Matthews said Mrs Graham wanted to tell the inquiry that there was no need for the proposed new A130, which would just create more traffic in south Essex.

It will be designed to provide a dual carriageway link running all the way from the A127 to Chelmsford.

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