Families who live in a narrow Bocking street fear their children will be put in danger by construction traffic from a new building site.

Braintree Council recently gave planning permission for four houses to be built on a small paddock behind Canterbury Grange, off Bocking Church Street, despite residents' concerns.

Now the residents are calling for measures to make the cul-de-sac safer and protect children playing outside.

"I don't mind the houses being built, but it will take a long time and there are a lot of young children living here," said father-of-two, Frank Toogood.

"I think it's going to be for the whole summer which is the worst time for the children," said his wife, Ariane.

Mr Toogood called on the council to put up signs at the entrance to the close to warn drivers about children playing.

"In some parts of Braintree roads have been turned into play streets with signs up which would help," he said.

But he said the only real way to protect children playing in the street, which has no pavement, is to make someone walk in front of all construction vehicles.

Neighbour, Julie Price, said she was also worried about the traffic.

"When they're building it's going to be terrible. I think it might help to put signs up, but it's a curved road," she said.

A council spokeswoman said the developer had been asked to put up warning signs at the entrance to the site.

"There are conditions attached to the planning permission which seek to control construction practices on the site and we would hope any responsible developer would exercise due care and attention when accessing the site," she added.

Planning officer, Gordon Sutherland, said in a council report that the narrow, winding street already kept traffic speeds low.

Pictured (left to right) are Frank and Adriane Toogood, with son Max, one and daughter, Katinka, three; Louisa Wookey; Lucy Robinson, two and Julie Price and her son, Alexander, three.

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