PARTIES have locked horns after an announcement roadworks will be delayed again due to a water leak.

Essex County Council said part of Harwich Road will be closed for another two weeks while the problem is fixed.

The carriageway is collapsing where works to create single roundabouts at Harwich Road and Ipswich Road are taking place.

Harwich Road has been closed since April 1 between the roundabout and Greenstead Road.

Councillor Martin Goss (Lib Dem) said the county council was “letting residents down”.

He said: “Colchester has patiently accommodated what has already been an atrociously run road project by Essex County Council.

“With yet another delay, we are in for more misery for weeks to come.”

He wants to see powers to carry out roadworks handed down to the borough council. He added: “Enough is enough and now it’s time for a divorce.

“I want to take back control of highways projects so they are run by Colchester councillors who know the area and understand residents’ needs.”

Conservative Kevin Bentley, county councillor responsible for infrastructure, said patience was needed for such a big project.

He said: “The Lib Dems have forgotten this is a major civil engineering project which includes utility work on a grand scale.

“There are talented engineers working on this and despite planning there will be things that cause delays.

“I will remind the Lib Dems we are doing this to plan for the future and the housing need they are supporting.

“To talk about divorce from the county council is ridiculous, they cannot run this from the town hall in Colchester.”

Anglian Water responded as a matter of urgency. The section of road will be closed until May 6.

Martin Goss is the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, while Tina McKay stands for Labour.