'We live on UK's worst pothole road - taxi and takeaway drivers refuse to visit'
Furious residents on an Essex state say that the "worst road in Britain" has not been fixed a year on and taxis or takeaway drivers refuse to come.
People living in Bel Air Chalet Estate complained about the pothole-ridden Seawick Road last January. And while some repair work was done in August it was never completed, leaving it in a "terrible" state, says Jay Marsh, 54.
Jay, a windscreen fitter who has lived there since 2002, said: "Part of the road got resurfaced in August 2023 and we were happy that something is finally being done about it. But the excitement ended when they didn't complete it all."
He added: "I have deja vu. We are back at the stage where the road is terrible and I have to worry about the car. The whole estate is fed up, it is really taking a toll on the vehicles and then that takes a toll on your pocket."
Jay says the road has "always been bad" and vehicles are regularly damaged by the bumpy concrete surfaces. They also claim that taxi and takeaway drivers refuse to come to their doors due to fear of damaging their vehicles. Even emergency services struggle for access, leaving people feeling at risk.
Dad fears for daughter's life as teen endures pothole hell that 'could be fatal'
The road has been dubbed the worst in the UK (James Linsell-Clark/ SWNS)Jay expressed his concern, saying: "I carry glass in my van and I have to be careful not to smash what I have onboard. This is a real business concern for me. It's not fair really, they used to come over and fill in the potholes but they would wash out in the rain. "It's always been terrible for us, we're pretty fed up."
The site features hundreds of chalets which were originally meant to be holiday homes. Residents accept they weren't intended for use over the whole winter - but estimate over 80% of people now live there full-time.
Residents said that the road hasn't been repaired a year on (James Linsell-Clark/ SWNS)The site also has a shop, launderette and a pub. Paul Lucas, who bought the pub - The Village Inn - with his wife Geraldine, in 2017, claimed that customers from three neighbouring caravan sites can no longer get there so trade has dropped by 40%.
Paul said: "This causes me a lot of stress and it's so sad for the community. We've got loyal customers but they only have so much money. The property company took over the estate and have never contacted me - and I just get the answerphone when I try calling them."
Two residents measure the size of one of the potholes (James Linsell-Clark/ SWNS)Warehouse worker Aaron Dwyer, 45, has lived on the estate in St Osyth, near Clacton-on-Sea, several years. He says Seawick Road is the worst - and estimates there is more than a 100 potholes just on that 150 metre stretch.
Aaron previously said: "I do honestly believe it is the worst road in Britain. They are more like craters than potholes. It's like a fairground ride. "As soon as my front left wheel goes into one hole my back right wheel is still in another, and it goes on like that all the way. You can't go faster than walking speed or you'll hurt your head on the roof of your car because you're bouncing around so much. It's an absolute joke. It just makes life a misery."
There have been estimated to be 100 potholes in a 150 metre stretch (James Linsell-Clark/ SWNS)A spokesperson for Essex Highways, part of Essex County Council, said: "The Bel Air Chalet Estate in St Osyth is made up of private roads and all rights and responsibilities for the maintenance and management of these roads are private."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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