LARGE lorries carrying tonnes of soil are “dropping earth on the road” as they attempt to navigate a mini roundabout, it has been claimed.

Developer Bellway has begun removing soil from land off Barge Pier Road, Shoebury, ahead of the construction of 214 new homes.

Before construction starts on the homes, the developer must clear topsoil from the site and then replace it with fresh earth to raise the ground by six metres to prevent flooding.

The soil will be transported via 120 lorry loads a day along the A127 to Eastern Avenue and onto Royal Artillery Way, before proceeding along Thorpe Hall Avenue and the seafront to the development adjacent to Gunners Park and the Garrison Estate.

However, councillor Ron Woodley has claimed some of the soil is tipping onto the road and making a mess as the lorries attempt to negotiate around a small roundabout at the junction of Thorpe Hall Avenue and Eastern Esplanade.

The Independent councillor for Thorpe Ward said residents had already complained about the operation.

He said: “The lorries are leaving Barge Pier with earth and as they are going along they are dropping that earth on the road at Thorpe Hall Avenue and Thorpe Esplanade as they take the mini roundabout.

“The route was for delivering earth not taking it away. I find it irritating that they are doing that. If they are moving stuff away there must be extra lorry movements and I’ve asked the leader of the council to investigate it.

“We can’t have material being dropped along the road, especially at junctions.”

Bellway confirmed it has approval to remove soil before delivering it to the site, but said it would investigate reports of spillages.

A spokesperson for Bellway said: “In line with our Construction Environment Management Plan for the former Shoebury Garrison site, we have begun stripping topsoil from the site ahead of the phase one and two engineering works starting. This topsoil cannot be stored on site so needs to be removed.

“We have not been made aware of any spillages of soil but have arranged for this to be checked by our contractor.”

Daniel Cowan, leader of the council said: “As far as we are aware this is standard clearing of the site in line with the planning permission. I would encourage residents to report any potential breaches in the usual way, which is via the online form on MySouthend.”