DENGIE parish and town councils have united over concerns about the impact of a busy road being “demoted” and claim complaints have been ignored.

The Dengie parishes have raised concerns about proposed changes to Burnham Road. 

Under the plans, they say South Woodham Ferrers will lose its existing bypass – the B1012 Burnham Road – which will be downgraded to an “urban street” with a 40mph speed limit and what they say is “numerous impediments” to traffic flow.

This includes six new signalised pedestrian crossings and two new roundabouts.

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As the Burnham Road is the main route for traffic entering and leaving the Dengie, local councils fear the move will cause regular gridlock.

Parish and town councils in the area which will be “most adversely affected” by the plans for highways are joining forces as The United Dengie Councils. 

They have been fighting to ensure traffic flow in and out of the Dengie is not “seriously impaired” by changes planned for the Burnham Road in the aftermath of the new housing development north of South Woodham Ferrers and others elsewhere in the Dengie.

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A spokesman for the United Dengie Councils said: “A specific complaint is that the cumulative effect of traffic from both South Woodham Ferrers and the Dengie has been ignored despite repeated representations. 

“This is the Achilles’ heel – development can be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be ‘an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe’.

Read more: Residents say South Woodham Ferrers will become 'grid-locked' if works go-ahead

“So it’s no wonder that the decision makers are turning a deaf ear when the parish and town councils in the affected areas are pointing out again and again that there is massive pressure on the roads at present - and that this is bound to get by worse when all the new developments are completed. 

“It is hoped that by uniting as the United Dengie Councils we will create pressure to obtain a workable solution that is fair to all.”

So far seven councils have joined with more awaiting decisions to be made at meetings.