RENEWED plans to reroute lorries away from Halstead could be on the cards following last week’s traffic chaos.

The town was at a standstill last Thursday because of roadworks to mend a large pothole in Head Street.

Delays were so bad it took some residents more than an hour to cross the town.

The congestion has reignited a wider debate about traffic in the town and a new

strategic lorry route, which would divert HGVs away from Halstead and the A131, between Braintree and Sudbury.

Head Street is often the worst affected with residents finding trucks at a standstill just inches from their front doors as they struggle through the tight streets and junctions.

The HGV plan was floated before the Covid-19 pandemic, with representatives from Halstead and Sudbury town councils, and Essex and Suffolk county councils meeting as part of a strategic lorry route group back in February.

Talks discussed diverting lorries down the A12 toward Colchester’s Northern Gateway at Junction 28 before heading north on the A134.

However, plans were put on hold after the arrival of the pandemic and lockdown.

Now, Halstead county councillor Jo Beavis says talks could soon resume.

She said: “I am part of the strategic lorry route group which is about bringing forward a new lorry route to divert lorries by signposting from the major roads to get to Sudbury instead of coming through Halstead.

“Lorry congestion was not the main issue on Thursday but it didn’t help as large lorries could not pass at the pinch points of diversions.

“In fact on Thursday, once again, there were no diversionary signs.

“Thursday caused huge upset in the town and local residents are quite right to be angry and they deserve answers

“It is not right and quite frankly local residents deserve better than to close roads without notice and to erect little or no diversionary measures.

“I have called for the next meeting of the strategic lorry route group to meet and to decide when consultation on a potential preferred route might take place.

“In the meantime and on behalf of the disgruntled residents of Halstead I have written to the leader of Essex County Council asking for greater consideration regarding all roadworks in the High Street and to request, as much as possible, that road closures on the High Street happen during the evening when less traffic is about.”

She added: “Halstead has taken the brunt of homes growth over several years due to the lack of an adopted local plan for the district.

“Residents are upset about the impact on local infrastructure.

“The strategic lorry route would help ease congestion by the re-routing.”