AN investigation has been launched after villagers said residents are facing near misses with construction lorries on a "too narrow" lane. 

Lorries are using Hall Road, in Copford, as a through road while 50 houses are constructed by developer Dandara. 

But nearby residents say they fear for “the safety and lives of residents” after a number of near misses on the 3.5m wide road. 

Resident Tracie Rita Jackson has documented instances of vehicles coming at 6.30am, before the agreed start time of 8am, with one ‘S vehicle’ reversing off the site onto Hall Road.

Tracie says lorries have also parked up blocking part of London Road near the site causing traffic chaos. 

Gazette: Early - Tracie Rita Jackson photographed a vehicle which arrived at 6.30am as well as other vehicles which reversed onto the drive nearly running residents overEarly - Tracie Rita Jackson photographed a vehicle which arrived at 6.30am as well as other vehicles which reversed onto the drive nearly running residents over (Image: Submitted)

She said: “Every ten minutes there is a public user – whether a dog walker, a jogger, a cycler - this was a recreational lane, and it just seems to be lost."

Lorries have also been parked on London Road causing obstruction for road users including cyclists and pedestrians.

Gazette: Obstruction - Parked vehicles on London Road causing traffic issues taken on April 25Obstruction - Parked vehicles on London Road causing traffic issues taken on April 25 (Image: Submitted)

A spokesman for Dandara said: “As part of our work building 50 homes at the site on Hall Road in Copford, Dandara is in regular communication with Essex Highways, who are acting on behalf of Essex County Council and are supportive of the measures we are putting place to try and alleviate the residents’ concerns.

“We have also been liaising with the HSE on this matter, as we try to implement our approved scheme that was granted permission by the council.”

The spokesman added that by following construction, design and management regulations (CDM) all “the correct safety procedures” have been followed.

They said: “At Dandara we check all of our subcontractors before they undertake any work on our behalf, and during construction we carry out regular health and safety inspections."

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “The council’s planning enforcement team is aware of the issues raised and are currently investigating as a matter of urgency.”

While a spokesman for Essex County Council added: “We understand the planning enforcement team at Colchester Council is aware of the issues raised and is currently investigating as a matter of urgency.”