CONCERNED residents say their streets were turned into rat runs over the past week after a major road was closed in Maldon.

Market Hill, in the town centre, was closed last week for emergency gas works by Cadent.

Essex Highways said the work was an “emergency excavation” to investigate pipeline damage.

Lower speed limits are also currently in place along Market Hill to provide a “safer, greener and healthier’”, environment for shoppers, pedestrians and cyclists.

The 20pmh speed limits, which have been in place since June, are set to stay until June 2021.

Maldon District Council is also completing a High Street consultation which prioritises pedestrians, cyclists and sustainable transport solutions, and restricting non-essential motorised vehicles.

But residents in surrounding streets say the last week has shown how new “rat runs” can open up in roads around the town centre.

Donna Beechener, who lives on Acacia Drive, off Spital Road, said to close the top of the High Street and Market Hill to all but essential traffic was “absurd”.

“Market Hill is currently closed to traffic due to road works,” she said.

“Effectively the traffic was gridlocked along Spital Road, Acacia Drive and potentially elsewhere too.

“When the council embarked on a Monday market in recent times, closing the top end of the High Street to all but essential travel, the impact was exactly the same – traffic chaos in streets that cannot take additional traffic.

“Without Market Hill and the High Street access, Spital Road cannot take the volume of resultant traffic, which means that traffic from side streets cannot exit left or right, causing traffic jams, and associated pollution, and new rat runs, which means that the problem isn’t solved, just moved.

“I can only conclude the plans have clearly been designed by consultants who do not understand Maldon or its streets.

“I’m sure the proposals look good on a map and plan, but the reality will be far from good or acceptable.

According to Essex Highways, Market Hill will reopen on November 16.

The council consultation will also end on November 16.