A DISAPPEARING mini-roundabout at a busy junction will not be repainted despite it currently being little more than a hole in the ground.
Essex County Council risk-assessed the roundabout at the junction of Weald Road and Western Road in Brentwood after concerns were raised about the safety of road users.
But while agreeing to resurface part of the road within the next two months, the council deemed the roundabout not worthy of a lick of paint because it has signs to tell drivers what should be there.
Now fears have been raised that drivers who are visiting the town could be at risk due at the "confusing" junction.
Motorist Ian Hughes, 36, of Roth Drive, Hutton said: "It's a bit tight not to put a bit of paint down.
"It's definitely dangerous there, especially if you drive up from the High Street end.
"There's nowhere to cross as well, so it needs to be marked 100 per cent."
However, Keith Smith, 46, who lives on High Street, said: "The mini-roundabouts make sense.
"As long as you know they are there, they work: simple as that."
The roundabout had previously been raised and painted white, but has over time been worn away by the traffic.
Liberal Democrat borough and county councillor David Kendall estimates the roundabout has not been visible for more than a year but no action had been taken.
He accused Essex Highways of having "lost the plot" and said he would be chasing up the issue to ensure more is done to restore the site to its former glories.
"It seems that the highways department have totally lost the plot on this one," he said.
"The roundabout has totally disappeared, but rather than do the sensible thing and repair it they are doing some carriageway repairs near-by instead.
"This news has left me – and I'm sure many Brentwood motorists – very angry and frustrated.
"Brentwood residents pay 74 per cent of their council tax to Essex County Council, and this is the poor level of service they get in return.
"It's a disgrace."
Cllr Kendall added that he feared for the safety of all motorists, but particularly visitors to the area who do not know the area.
In response to the criticisms, a Essex Highways spokesman confirmed to the Gazette that: "Regarding the road markings on the mini-roundabout, a robust risk assessment by highways officers has determined that this does not require immediate works at this time.
"Works on the roundabout will be added to the programme of ongoing works for completion at a later date.
"There is adequate signage advising motorists there is a mini-roundabout on all approaches to the roundabout.
"The works in two months' time are in regard to road defect works, not linked to road-marking signage on the roundabout."