HIGHWAYS officials are refusing to repair a pothole-pitted country lane because of concerns about travellers living nearby.

Contractors for Essex County Council refuse to work in Oak Road, Crays Hill, without a police escort, because it runs close to the Dale Farm campsite.

On Friday, the Echo reported resident Alan White's concerns about the state of the road where he lives.

It now emerges the county council wrote to Ramsden Crays Parish Council explaining delays were down to problems arranging police protection for road workers.

The letter from Steve Gosling, senior highway engineer, stated: "Unfortunately, the presence of traveller camp nearby is making the contractors reluctant to carry out the work.

"We are trying to arrange a police presence, but at the moment, the situation is uncertain."

Fellow Oak Road resident Len Gridley, has been urging neighbours to send bills for damaged vehicles to County Hall - and has already been paid for damage to one of his.

He said: "Last time they came out to do the road in 2004, they had police with them. It hasn't been done since.

"I will be billing them £2,000 for my car next, because it is a total write-off due to the state of the road."

The county council blames the state of the road on heavy lorries making deliveries to the traveller site. But Norman Hume, county councillor for highways, said: "We are programming works for the improvement of Oak Road with our contractors, which will include carrying out a risk assessment.

"We have recently carried out repair works along the road, but it is being put under severe strain by the recent heavy use by articulated vehicles.

"We will be looking into further, longer-term measures which may alleviate the situation, but these will be subject to a thorough cost evaluation."