DELAYED roadworks have put children’s safety at risk and made them late for school, according to a Colchester headteacher.

Residents, commuters and community representatives have all complained about the temporary traffic lights at the corner of Old Heath Road and Abbot’s Road following a week of disruption.

The roadworks were set up while a BT junction box was installed but hours turned to days and the work was stiil not finished.

Jeremy Hallum, headteacher at Old Heath Community Primary School, said: “We have two lollipop ladies who do a fantastic job but they have found it very difficult to get children across the road safely.

“There has been a huge amount of congestion which has delayed their arrival at school and made crossing the road a real issue and nobody told us it would be happening.”

BT apologised for the delays due to "unforseen circumstances" and hope to remove the lights tonight.

See the full story in Friday's Gazette.