PROTESTORS complaining about a cul-de-sac being used by lines of lorries have erected their own sign to warn them.

County councillor Kerry Smith led the campaign to try and cut down on lorry traffic along Lee Chapel Lane.

Residents claim it has become a nightmare with lorries using the route in Langdon Hills to attempt to drive to a 725 home development.

Mr Smith, councillor for Basildon Westley Heights, said: “I am putting a sign up at the junction of Victoria Avenue and Staneway, to deter HGV lorries from using Lee Chapel Lane to deliver materials to the homes being built in Dry Street.

“There has been a large amount of HGVs using the road for a long time.

“It is causing the residents an absolute nightmare.

“In order to stop it, I went on Amazon and ordered a sign myself because the road is completely unsuitable for these vehicles.”

The development, which will be renamed Westley Green, is being built by developers, Redrow.

Terry Dawson, 70, a resident of Lee Chapel Lane claimed lorry drivers have been using the lane because their sat navs say they can access Lower Dunton Road from there, which leads to Dry Street.

Mr Dawson said: “It is ridiculous, it must have been 30 years since you were able to get there from here, but it is a cul-de-sac on both sides now, so it’s a dead end.

“It is too late by the time the lorries realise it’s a dead end, and then everyone has to wait half an hour for the drivers to reverse out of the lane.”

The issue has been ongoing for more than a year.

Following a complaint to Essex County Council, Mr Smith was told the authority could not stop HGVs from entering the road.

The council told him sat nats were in fact advising the drivers to stop in the road.

A spokesman for Essex County Council, said: “Councillor Smith’s request, as a member of the panel, to Basildon’s local highway panel for a more prominent “no through road” sign can still be considered.

“If an HGV did park in Lee Chapel Lane it would surely block what is a narrow single-track road and such obstruction would be a matter for police.

“We would advise strongly against anyone putting up their own road signs.

“They should stick to the proper mechanisms to install legal signs where appropriate.”