Angry residents living beside the A120 have slammed the council’s decision to cut down a noise-barrier hedge.

Braintree Council coppiced the blackthorn hedge running alongside the A120 in January to prevent overgrown sections damaging fences and houses.

It sent letters to tell residents about the plans on January 23 workers arrived and chopped down a 3m-deep section of hedgerow four days later.

Neighbours living in Moors Croft on the Marks Farm estate, Braintree, fear their homes will be devalued without the hedge which they say protects their privacy and peace from the busy carriageway.

Councillor Wendy Schmitt, cabinet member for Place at Braintree Council, said any trees that help reduce noise had “not been touched”.

She said: "This work involved cutting back a 3m strip along the fence line between Braintree Rugby Club and the bund in Tesco Car Park.

"Coppicing can look dramatic however it is a much-used and very efficient way of managing woodland."